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British attorney general derides reconvened parliament as PM Boris Johnson arrives back in UK
- Geoffrey Cox aggressively took the offensive, accusing what he called a ‘dead parliament’ of being ‘too cowardly’ to call an election
- MPs challenged the attorney general over his advice to Johnson on suspending parliament, which the Supreme Court has deemed illegal
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British Attorney General Geoffrey Cox accused the UK parliament on Wednesday of being a “disgrace” as lawmakers returned for the first day of work since a bombshell court decision deemed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament to be illegal.
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Cox’s baritone voice boomed across the House of Commons as he defended the advice he gave Johnson backing the suspension. He aggressively took the offensive, accusing what he called a “dead parliament” of being “too cowardly” to vote for a no-confidence motion in Johnson’s government, which would trigger an early election.
“This parliament should have the courage to face the electorate, but it won’t, because so many of them are really all about preventing us leaving the European Union,” he told lawmakers. “But the time is coming. The time is coming, Mr. Speaker, when even these turkeys won’t be able to prevent Christmas.”
Johnson remains on a collision course with parliament over his determination to pull Britain out of the European Union on October 31 even if no divorce deal is reached. Parliament has passed a law requiring him to seek a Brexit extension if there is no deal, but Johnson has said he will not do that under any circumstances.
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The prime minister flew back to London in the morning, cutting short a trip to the UN General Assembly in New York as demands for his resignation rose from opposition parties following the court ruling.
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