It has been reported that Boris Johnson will tell the Queen that she will not be able to sack him should MPs try to oust him with a vote no confidence in parliament.
According to the Sun newspaper, senior aides are drawing up legal advice for the Queen that will keep the prime minister in Downing Street, which will enable him to take the UK out of the EU on 31 October.
The newspaper has claimed that Downing Street will use a set of 70-year old rules, called the Lascelles Principles, that will tell the Queen she will have to follow the advice of the prime minister.
A source said, “Boris won’t resign even if he loses a no confidence vote, and it is not within the sovereign’s constitutional powers to make him.”
The source added, “The PM will advise the Queen of that and she must follow her prime minister’s advice. That’s how this country works.”
Labour peer and barrister Lord Falconer said of the proposed plan, “One of the conditions in the Lascelles Principles for refusing a dissolution was the Monarch could rely on finding another prime minister who could carry on government, for a reasonable period, with a working majority in the House of Commons.”
Lord Falconer added, “If there is no alternative PM who could command a majority after Boris Johnson loses a vote of no confidence then there will be nobody for who HMQ can send to form a government.
“But if there is such an alternative, then Boris Johnson will have to vacate Downing Street.”
Royal historian Kate Williams dismissed Downing Street’s plans, she tweeted, “The Lascelles stuff is utter nonsense – it can’t be used to keep Johnson.
“But what it is – is a propaganda war by No 10 against the Palace – and a threat to the Queen that they will spin against her, so she should fall into line.”
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