Jeremy Corbyn: Five-week closure of parliament is ‘disgraceful’

Parliament is going to be suspended at the close of business today – meaning MPs will be blocked from holding debates and votes for more than a month.

Boris Johnson’s spokesman confirmed the prorogation will be in effect until 14 October.

This is a normal process used in the run-up to a new Queen’s Speech, where governments lay out their policies and plans for the coming year.

But some MPs have criticised the timing – claiming it is politically motivated to stop them holding the prime minister to account ahead of the fast-approaching Brexit deadline on 31 October.

Jeremy Corbyn was among those who criticised the suspension, describing it as “disgraceful”.

The Labour leader claimed that the prime minister “appears to be wanting to run away from questions”.

Mr Johnson sent three of his cabinet ministers to Balmoral in Scotland last month to formally get Her Majesty’s approval for the suspension.

Tradition dictates that there will be an announcement made on behalf of the Queen in the House of Lords to suspend parliament tonight.

Some MPs will gather in parliament’s upper chamber to hear it, but the message will be repeated later in the House of Commons.

Parliament will then officially be suspended – technically known as prorogued – until the Queen travels there to deliver a speech.

The Queen’s Speech will explain all of the proposed laws Mr Johnson wants to pass next year, followed by five days of debate by MPs and a crucial vote.

With a majority of minus 45 in the Commons, Mr Johnson could struggle to get that vote passed.

He has already suffered defeat on his first three votes in parliament, where MPs managed to take control of the parliamentary agenda and pass a bill ordering him to seek a delay to Brexit to avoid no-deal on Halloween.

The legislation is expected to become law today, but Mr Johnson has vowed neither he nor his government will ask Brussels to grant the delay.