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Britain's Supreme Court Rules Suspension of Parliament Unlawful

VOANews

   Britain's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Prime Minister Boris
   Johnson's decision to suspend parliament for five weeks was unlawful
   and is "void and of no effect."

   The court said in explaining the unanimous decision that Johnson's
   prevented parliament from carrying out its role of "holding the
   government to account."

   It highlighted the special nature of the timing of the suspension,
   which was to last for five of the eight weeks that remained before the
   deadline for Britain to exit the European Union.

   "This prolonged suspension of Parliamentary democracy took place in
   quite exceptional circumstances: the fundamental change which was due
   to take place in the Constitution of the United Kingdom on 31st
   October," the court said. "Parliament, and in particular the House of
   Commons as the elected representatives of the people, has a right to a
   voice in how that change comes about. The effect upon the fundamentals
   of our democracy was extreme."

   Parliament was due to be out until mid-October under the suspension,
   but the court ruling Tuesday said leaders can "take immediate steps" to
   return "as soon as possible."

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