Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dan Bloom

Tory Ken Clarke savages Boris Johnson's 'blatant lies' as he vows to revolt

Tory veteran Ken Clarke today accused Boris Johnson of telling "blatant lies" as he vowed to stage a revolt to stop Britain crashing out of the EU.

The Father of the House of Commons, 79, lashed out at the Prime Minister for to scupper MPs' debates on Brexit .

Boris Johnson claimed the decision was so he could hold a Queen's Speech - and allies claim it's nothing to do with railroading through no-deal.

But Mr Clarke said: "We’re being told blatant lies. How on earth they can keep a straight face saying it isn’t designed to frustrate Brexit I don’t know."

Remain-backing ex-minister Mr Clarke also vowed to join opposition MPs, who plan to rush legislation through Parliament to block no-deal.

Urging Parliament to “act quickly and promptly next week”, he said of the government's behaviour: “It is totally outrageous.

"We’re being told blatant lies," said Ken Clarke (Peter Summers)
Remain-backing ex-minister Mr Clarke also vowed to join opposition MPs (Peter Summers)

“It should have the effect of getting the majority of the House of Commons who think a no-deal Brexit would be a calamity actually to get together to agree some compromise between themselves.

“Actually decide firmly what they’re going to provide a majority to do.

“I hope they will do it in legislation and I hope we will get the time to pass that legislation properly.”

Mr Clarke accused the Prime Minster of preparing for a "people versus foreigners election and a people versus parliament election".

It was "Donald Trump-type stuff," he added.

“I think nobody expected such outrageous conduct. It’s plainly unconstitutional."

Protesters outside Parliament yesterday (Peter Summers)

The Queen granted Boris Johnson's request yesterday to prorogue Parliament - suspend it between sessions - from September 12 to October 14.

It will allow the Prime Minister to lay out a new plan for government in a Queen's Speech. But the long break means Parliament will sit for just seven or fewer days from next Tuesday.

Despite the tight timescale Labour and other opposition MPs will try to force laws against no-deal through Parliament from next week.

And they look set to be joined by Tory Remainers.

Tory David Lidington, who was Theresa May's deputy, vowed to back sitting on Fridays and weekends if that's what it takes to give MPs more time.

Tory MP Oliver Letwin said he will "certainly" back legislating next week as talks between other Conservatives reportedly went on until 2am.

The Queen granted Boris Johnson's request yesterday (PA)

And former Chancellor Philip Hammond added: “A number of my colleagues would have preferred to wait ... and move in late September. That will now not be possible. We will have to try to do something when parliament returns next week."

Privy Council President Jacob Rees-Mogg - who rushed to Balmoral yesterday to get the Queen's approval - claimed the prorogation was "not a significant change" because MPs usually leave Parliament for party conferences anyway.

He accused MPs of "phony" opposition and a “confected candy floss of outrage”.

But he was branded disingenuous because MPs hadn't actually approved the party conference recess - and many were planning to cancel it.

Labour shadow minister Barry Gardiner said: "Downing Street is lying when it claims this is about the conference recess.

"If he wanted to get on with his domestic agenda, he would in fact be having a shorter period of prorogation."

For the full story on today's developments click

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.