UK govt formally suspends Parliament for 5 weeks

The British government has formally suspended Parliament, sending lawmakers home for five weeks amid a Brexit crisis.

The legislature was officially prorogued, or suspended, with a formal ceremony in the House of Lords — but only after House of Commons Speaker John Bercow voiced his displeasure, saying many regard it as "an act of executive fiat."

There were raucous scenes in the House of Commons as opposition lawmakers chanted "Shame on you."

Lawmakers will return Oct 14, little more than two weeks before Britain is due to leave the European Union on Oct 31.

The opposition accuses Prime Minister Boris Johnson of trying to stop lawmakers studying his Brexit plan.

It is the first time in more than 70 years a British government has suspended Parliament when faced with opposition.

AP