John Major – 2019 Statement on Supreme Court Ruling

Below is the text of the statement made by Sir John Major on 24 September 2019.

I am enormously grateful to my legal team, led by The Rt Hon The Lord Garnier QC, and Andrew Lidbetter (Herbert Smith Freehills LLP), on whose counsel and professionalism I have depended these past few weeks. I am also most grateful to the Supreme Court for their calm and detailed examination of this Appeal.

I am delighted that the Court has ruled the Prime Minister’s lengthy and contentious prorogation of Parliament to be unlawful. This was a case that should never have had to be considered, and it gave me no pleasure to be pitted against a Government and Prime Minister of my own Party.

Parliament must now be recalled immediately to recommence its work, and to receive the Prime Minister’s unreserved apology.

I hope this ruling from the Supreme Court will deter any future Prime Minister from attempting to shut down Parliament, with the effect of stifling proper scrutiny and debate, when its sitting is so plainly in the national interest.

No Prime Minister must ever treat the Monarch or Parliament in this way again.