High Court rejects legal challenge against parliament suspension

Legal challenge to overturn the proroguing of parliament has been rejected by judges at the High Court.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton and President of the Queen’s Bench Division Dame Victoria Sharp rejected the legal challenge brought against the prime minister by Gina Miller.

Lord Justice Burnett said on Friday, “We have concluded that, whilst we should grant permission to apply for judicial review, the claim must be dismissed.”

During the hearing, Lord Pannick QC, representing Miller, told the three judges, “The prime minister’s decision to prorogue parliament is contrary to constitutional principle and constitutes an abuse of power.”

Arguing, “There is no justification for closing parliament in this way and, accordingly, it represents an unjustified undermining of parliamentary sovereignty which is the bedrock of our constitution.”

The three judges are to put in writing their decision for dismissing the legal challenge next week.