British lawmakers prepare court action to enforce Brexit delay

RULE OF LAW

Former deputy prime minister David Lidington said obeying the rule of law was a fundamental principle of the ministerial code.

"Defying any particular law sets a really really dangerous precedent," he told BBC radio.

Lidington, who was May's deputy, resigned before Johnson took office.

Johnson says the only solution to the Brexit deadlock is a new election, which he wants to take place on Oct 15, allowing him to win a new mandate with two weeks left to leave on time.

Two-thirds of parliament's lawmakers need to back an early election, but opposition parties, including Labour, said they would either vote against or abstain on this until the law to force Johnson to seek a Brexit delay is implemented.

"We need a clear statement from the prime minister that he is going to abide by that act of parliament," Corbyn said.

Johnson failed to win enough support in a vote on Wednesday for an election, with another vote scheduled for Monday.

Separately on Saturday, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said a "concerningly high number" of firms in the country are not ready for a no-deal Brexit.

The BCC said its survey of 1,500 firms found 41 percent had not even done a Brexit risk assessment.

“Our evidence yet again reinforces the importance of averting a chaotic exit on Oct 31," director general Adam Marshall said.

Reuters