Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament was
unlawful, the Supreme Court has ruled.
Mr Johnson suspended - or prorogued - Parliament for five
weeks earlier this month, but the court said it was wrong to stop MPs carrying
out duties in the run-up to Brexit on 31 October.
Supreme Court president Lady Hale said "the effect on
the fundamentals of democracy was extreme."
Downing Street said it was "currently processing the
verdict". But critics said he was trying to stop MPs from
scrutinising his Brexit plans.
A raft of MPs have now called for the prime minister to
resign and for Parliament to return as soon as possible.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the ruling showed Mr
Johnson's "contempt for democracy", adding: "I invite Boris
Johnson, in the historic words, to consider his position."
The Supreme Court's president, Lady Hale, said: "The
decision to advise Her Majesty to prorogue Parliament was unlawful because it
had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of Parliament to carry
out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification."
Lady Hale said the unanimous decision of the 11 justices
meant that Parliament had not been prorogued - the decision was null and of no
effect - and it was for the Speakers of the Commons and Lords to decide what to
do next.
Commons Speaker John Bercow welcomed the ruling and said
Parliament "must convene without delay", adding that he would now
consult party leaders "as a matter of urgency". bbc
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