Cornered “dictator” Boris Johnson faced shouts of “resign!” tonight as he sensationally begged MPs to vote no confidence in his own government.
The Prime Minister pleaded with them to boot him from office and trigger an election before Christmas as he lashed out at everyone but himself over a historic court defeat.
He was forced to rush home early from New York to address the Commons after his decision to shut down Parliament for five weeks, just before Brexit, was ruled unlawful and “extreme” by 11 justices of the Supreme Court.
Yet the arrogant Tory showed no remorse, gave no apology and instead tried to blame Britain’s “paralysed Parliament” for trying to block Brexit.
In rowdy and angry scenes, Tory MPs roared “more!” and applauded after the Prime Minister accused MPs of “sabotaging” negotiations with the EU.
And the rattled and provocative Prime Minister accused Jeremy Corbyn of “dodging” an election to “escape the verdict of the voters”.
(Image: PA)
Shouts rang out in the Commons as he declared: “If the party opposite does not in fact have confidence in the government, they will have a chance to prove it!
“They have until the House rises today to table a motion of no confidence in the government and we can have that vote tomorrow.
“Or if any of the other smaller parties want to have a go they can table the motion.
“Will they have the courage to take act – or will they refuse to take responsibility and dither and delay?”
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Yet furious Jeremy Corbyn refused to back an election because the Prime Minister is still refusing to rule out a no-deal Brexit on October 31.
Labour’s leader fumed: “Quite simply, for the good of this country, he should go! If he wants an election, get an extension [to the Brexit date] – and let’s have an election!”
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, also rejected Boris Johnson’s offer before the Prime Minister has blocked a no-deal Brexit.
(Image: PA)
Accusing the PM of “lying and cheating and undermining the rule of law” in a “dictatorship” he declared: “Have you no shame Prime Minister?”
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson accused Mr Johnson of “misleading the Queen, misleading the country and illegally shutting down our democracy.”
She added: “Even my five year old knows that if you do something wrong, you have to say sorry!”
And Labour MP Hilary Benn declared: “He has no mandate, no majority and no credibility!”
It is the third time Boris Johnson has tried to force a snap election in just over 60 days since he became Prime Minister.
The previous two failed because the PM used a mechanism that needed t
Yet Jeremy Corbyn is refusing to trigger an election until he can “lock in” that no-deal Brexit will not happen on October 31.
The row surrounds a law passed by MPs this month which forces the Prime Minister to ask for a three-month delay to the Brexit date – if there’s no agreement by October 19, straight after an EU summit.
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox today insisted the Prime Minister would obey the law.
But Labour figures believe the PM, a proven liar, could try to get round the law using a loophole. Or that he will force through no-deal by placing October 31 midway through an election campaign.
Jeremy corbyn fumed: “This was 10 minutes of bluster from a dangerous Prime Minister who thinks he is above the law.
“But in truth is not fit for the office which he holds.
“I”m glad to see so many colleagues back here doing what they were elected to do holding the government to account for its failings .
“Whether its attempts to shut down democracy, its sham Brexit negotiations, its allegations of corruption, its chaotic and inadequate no deal preparations, its allegations of corruption it’s failure on climate change, its failure to step in to save Thomas Cook.
“This government is failing the people of Britain and the people of Britain know it.”
This breaking news story is being updated.
