Pro-remain campaigners are preparing to launch contempt proceedings against Boris Johnson if he attempts to renege on promises to seek an extension to Brexit. Jolyon Maugham QC has sought legal advice on starting court proceedings for contempt next week in the Scottish courts, after senior judges in Edinburgh delayed a decision on ordering the prime minister to comply with the Benn act. The UK government’s lawyers promised the court Johnson would honour the requirements of the European Union (withdrawal) (No 2) act by sending the letter if he fails to secure support in the House of Commons for Brexit by Saturday 19 October. The government also promised neither the prime minister nor any other minister or official would try to frustrate the Benn act by sidestepping it or undermining its provisions, despite Johnson’s repeated pledge the UK would leave the EU on 31 October come what may. “It would be a terrible mistake for the prime minister to imagine such a gross contempt would go unpunished,” Maugham said after the ruling on Wednesday.

Source: The Guardian October 09, 2019 16:36 UTC