Boris Johnson to ask for parliament's suspension again - for a week
The PM hopes to make his new Brexit plan a central part of his government's programme when MPs return after a week off.
Wednesday 2 October 2019 19:23, UK
Boris Johnson will request a week-long suspension of parliament from 8 October until the Queen's Speech on 14 October.
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that a previous five-week suspension - or prorogation - of parliament requested by the prime minister was unlawful.
The 11 judges also declared that "parliament is not prorogued", meaning MPs and peers could go back to Westminster.
If Mr Johnson's request to suspend parliament from next Tuesday evening is accepted by the Queen then MPs will have a week out of the Commons before the prime minister's plans for his government are set out in the Queen's Speech on 14 October.
It is the same date MPs were meant to return after the initial prorogation, before it was ruled unlawful.
And, it is also three days before the EU summit, where Mr Johnson is hoping the other 27 EU leaders will sign off on the Brexit plan he released today.
A Number 10 statement said introducing a new Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill containing Mr Johnson's Brexit proposal will be a "central feature of the legislative programme" - if a deal can be agreed at the European Council.
It added the government wants to get the new Withdrawal Agreement Bill through before 31 October, when the UK is meant to be leaving the EU.
"These timings would mean parliament is prorogued for the shortest time possible to enable all the necessary logistical preparations for a state opening to be undertaken," the statement said.
Mr Johnson said: "I want to deliver on the people's priorities.
"Through a Queen's Speech, the government will set out its plans for the NHS, schools, tackling crime, investing in infrastructure and building a strong economy.
"We will get Brexit done on 31 October and continue delivering on these vital issues."
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Mr Johnson's new Brexit offer to the EU abolishes from the UK-EU Withdrawal Treaty the Irish backstop, an insurance policy to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland after the UK leaves the bloc.
He wants to replace the backstop with a mixture of checks at ports on the Irish Sea and away from the border in Ireland to prevent a hard border.