A Scottish court rejected a bid by campaigners seeking an order to force Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask for a Brexit delay on Monday. Judges said assurances were given to the court by the Government that it would comply with the law. There are now plans to appeal against this.
But MP for Wokingham John Redwood does not believe there should be any further delay, as the UK has arrangements in place regardless of whether Mr Johnson strikes a deal with the EU.
He told Express.co.uk: “Mr Johnson is going to leave and has always said this was a take it or leave it deal.
“There will never be no deal, as there will arrangements in place.
“The EU is just very unhelpful and unfriendly.
Boris Johnson said he would abide by the law over Brexit (Image: GETTY)
“People just want this over now, as we have had all these delays.
“This parliament has to grow up.”
Last month, parliament passed legislation, known as the “Benn Act”, which requires him to send a letter to the EU asking for a delay if he faild to agree a deal by October 19.
The only way around this if he has MPs’ approval to leave without any agreement.
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The Prime Minister is being urged to not seek any further delay (Image: GETTY)
Mr Johnson said he will not break a law that forces him to request one if no withdrawal agreement deal has been agreed without explaining that apparent contradiction.
Anti-Brexit campaigners, who believe Mr Johnson will use a legal loophole or threaten to sabotage EU processes if they grant a Brexit delay, asked Scotland’s Outer House of the Court of Session to issue an order compelling him to comply with the Benn Act.
But the judge said assurances given by the government’s top legal officer in Scotland not to frustrate the Benn Act meant it was unnecessary to do so.
He said: “The Advocate General has set out clearly and unequivocally the Prime Minister’s intention to comply with his statutory duties.
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Anti-Brexit campaigners believe Mr Johnson will use a legal loophole (Image: GETTY)
“This has been done so by way of detailed and specific averments in written pleadings put before the court on the professional responsibility of those acting for the Prime Minister and the government.”
He said “extra-judicial” statements could not be taken as “conclusive statements of the government’s understanding of its legal obligations”.
Lawyer Jo Maugham, one of the campaigners who went after the order, said they expected Scotland’s highest court to hear their appeal on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a report on the Scottish Government’s preparations for a no-deal Brexit is set to be published.
The UK has arrangements in place regardless of whether Mr Johnson strikes a deal with the EU (Image: GETTY)
The document will detail work done by Holyrood to reduce effects on Scotland if the UK without a deal.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney is due to make a statement to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday at the same time as the release of the report.
Mr Swinney called on the UK Government to ensure an exit deal is reached before the deadline.
He said: “Any departure from the European Union will have a detrimental impact on the people and economy of Scotland but a no-deal would be especially damaging.
The UK is scheduled to leave the EU at the end of this month (Image: GETTY)
“Even at this late stage we urge the UK Government to rule out such a course.
“The Scottish Government strenuously opposes a no-deal but, as a responsible government, we must do all we can to address its potential impact.
“This report will help the Scottish people understand the risks we face, the efforts we are making to mitigate those risks and where responsibility lies with the UK Government.
“However hard we work it is impossible to prepare for all the problems a no-deal Brexit would cause.
The EU has not been favourable about Mr Johnson’s new proposals (Image: GETTY)
“The only way to stop the impact of ‘no deal’ is to take such a disastrous policy off the table.”
A UK Government spokesman said: “We want a deal and we want to talk.
“The UK has made a fair and reasonable offer and now it’s time for the EU to show a willingness to compromise too.
“But any deal ahead of Brexit on October 31 will require movement from the EU.
“We will be ready for Brexit on October 31 with or without a deal. We are also supporting the devolved administrations to get ready for Brexit on October 31 and we have committed almost £140 million to the Scottish Government to fund their preparations.”
