Reports: Attorney general told Boris Johnson prorogation was legal
Andrea Leadsom and Geoffrey Cox in the House of Commons ahead of the historic vote. Photograph: Parliament Live TV. - Credit: Archant
Boris Johnson's attorney general told ministers prorogation would be legal and that any 'outrage' over it would be politically motivated, say reports.
A Scottish court released the redacted minutes of a conference call between cabinet ministers discussing the option of prorogation.
But an unredacted version has been leaked to Sky News which stated that attorney general Geoffrey Cox had said the move would be "lawful and within the constitution", adding that any objections were "motivated by political considerations".
It is almost precisely the opposite conclusion unanimously made by the 11 justices in the highest court in the land, who damningly said the prorogation was "unlawful, void and of no effect".
WATCH: Full text of Lady Hale's Supreme Court damning statement about Boris Johnson's prorogation of parliamentThe advice reportedly given by Cox in the document may have been the basis on which Boris Johnson misled the Queen during his approach to her to request the prorogation.
The full redacted statement seen by Sky News says: "The attorney general said that his advice on the question of the law is that this was lawful and within the constitution.
You may also want to watch:
"Any accusations of unlawfulness or constitutional outrage were motivated by political considerations. The proposal was compatible with the provisions of the NIEFF 2019."
WATCH: Protesters deliver Boris Johnson's P45 to Downing Street following Supreme Court verdict
While Johnson has refused so far to resign in the face the verdict, Cox may well be looking nervously at his job.
Most Read
- 1 Sky News presenter says Boris Johnson is 'gaslighting the nation' over Covid claims
- 2 Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid reject Boris Johnson's coronavirus claim
- 3 Nigel Farage reminded of claim that 'acid test of Brexit' surrounds fishing after clip resurfaces
- 4 Home Office launches voluntary repatriation scheme for EU nationals
- 5 PMQs: Boris Johnson calls for apology from Keir Starmer over coronavirus stances
- 6 Michael Gove claims Boris Johnson is a 'huge asset' to Scotland
- 7 Brussels politician says Boris Johnson should 'pay for EU workers to stay' in UK
- 8 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 9 Jeremy Corbyn loses bid to release Labour documents ahead of High Court battle
- 10 Boris Johnson is the 'worst PM' and should resign, says Alastair Campbell
The previous attorney general Dominic Grieve, who vehemently stood against the prorogation, stood down in the summer in the anticipation that Boris Johnson would not re-appoint him to the role.
Grieve, who would undoubtedly have advised the prime minister very differently on prorogation, was expelled from the party a few weeks later for defying the party whip on the issue.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
