Court to consider if PM can be jailed over no-deal
A Scottish judge is being asked to consider whether Boris Johnson could be jailed if he takes the UK out of the EU without a deal.
A legal challenge is to be heard at the Court of Session about whether the prime minister could be forced to delay Brexit if no exit deal is agreed.
However, Mr Johnson has said he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than ask European leaders for another extension.
The court case seeks to establish what might happen if he refuses to act.
This could even include the court effectively signing a letter to European leaders on behalf of Mr Johnson, asking for a fresh extension.
The UK government has insisted it is focused on sealing a deal with the EU to ensure the UK can leave by 31 October, the current deadline, but says a no-deal exit is the only other alternative.
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The legal action has been initiated by businessman Dale Vince, QC Jo Maugham and SNP MP Joanna Cherry.
They want the Court of Session to rule on the extent to which Mr Johnson is bound by the legislation passed by opposition MPs – the “Benn Act”, which requires the government to request an extension to the Brexit deadline if a deal has not been signed off by parliament by 19 October.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-49924755