A Scottish court has ruled that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s attempt to suspend Parliament before the United Kingdom is slated to exit the European Union is unlawful.
The matter will ultimately be decided, however, in the country’s highest court, according to reports.
Judges at the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that Johnson’s move was not legal “because it had the purpose of stymieing Parliament,” according to The Associated Press.
{mosads}The judges reportedly said the suspension of Parliament was “null and of no effect,” but sent the issue to the U.K.’s Supreme Court, which scheduled a hearing on the issue next Tuesday.
“We are disappointed by today’s decision, and will appeal to the UK Supreme Court. The UK Government needs to bring forward a strong domestic legislative agenda. Proroguing Parliament is the legal and necessary way of delivering this,” a British government spokesman said in a statement, according to Reuters.
About 70 lawmakers challenged Johnson’s decision to shut down Parliament until just before the country’s Oct. 31 deadline to leave the EU.
Wednesday’s court ruling overturns a previous one from a court that determined that a decision on suspending Parliament was not up to the judiciary. Attorney Jolyon Maugham, who is part of the claim, told the AP that he thinks the decision means “Parliament is no longer prorogued.”
The news service reported, however, that it is not clear what this means in practice.
Johnson moved to suspend Parliament late last month, a move that was seen as an attempt to limit the body’s ability to block a no-deal Brexit.
The prime minister is a staunch Brexit supporter and has said the country would leave the EU with or without a deal.