The man who was the Justice Secretary just six weeks ago is now having to ask the UK government to obey UK law.
The jaw-dropping turn of events has unfolded after Boris Johnson threatened to simply ignore a law passed by MPs to block no-deal Brexit .
MPs, including some Tories, will table a law in Parliament tomorrow to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal on October 31. But Michael Gove , a key Johnson ally,
Critics blasted the "breathtaking" comments yesterday, with Tory MP Guto Bebb branding them a "disgrace to our democracy" and Jeremy Corbyn warning it would be a "full-blown attack on our constitution".
With the government facing attacks from all sides, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson today insisted ministers would add constitutionally.
He said: "It's quite normal for government to take the time to look at the legislation and see how it impacts in terms of the negotiations.
"Every government adheres to the law."
But by then David Gauke - a pro-EU Tory who resigned as Justice Secretary in July - was already publicly demanding the PM makes clear he obeys the rule of law.
He has written to Attorney General Geoffrey Cox asking for clarification.
Mr Gauke, the former Lord Chancellor, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The rule of law is hugely important to this country.
"I am concerned by some of the briefings that have been put out by the Government suggesting that they won't comply with the law, and I think Michael was equivocal on that question yesterday.
"I think it would be very helpful if the Government could clarify that they believe in the rule of law.
"That's why I'm writing to the Attorney General and also the Lord Chancellor, who has particular responsibility for this.
"Just to get confirmation that this Government believes in the rule of law, that it will comply with the law, and if legislation is properly passed it will be complied with."
Mr Gauke added: "It would be a genuine constitutional outrage to refuser to give Royal Assent to a Bill that’s been passed in the House of Commons and House of Lords.
"That’s not what we do in this country."
Boris Johnson will prorogue Parliament for more than a month as soon as Monday next week, until a Queen's Speech on October 14.
That has left opposition MPs in a race against time to pass legislation through the Commons and the Lords blocking no-deal Brexit.
They are due to seize control of the Commons agenda using an emergency debate tomorrow, before then rushing through laws on Wednesday and Thursday.
Labour's shadow cabinet will meet in Salford today to finalise its plans - but there are already splits over exactly what legislation should achieve.
Last night Boris Johnson took the ultimate gamble as Prime Minister by telling Tory Brexit rebels to back him - or be sacked from the party.
The Prime Minister vowed to withdraw the whip from up to 20 former ministers, and bar them from standing as Tories in an election, if they vote to block a no-deal Brexit in Parliament.
But his bombshell threat could backfire spectacularly after some ex-Cabinet ministers - including Rory Stewart and Mr Gauke - said they were ready to defy him anyway.
That would wipe out the Tory leader's fragile Commons majority of one - which could, in turn, force him to call a general election within days.
