DOMINIC Raab yesterday sparked a fresh Brexit row by hinting the Government can escape “flawed” legislation ruling out a No Deal.
The Foreign Secretary insisted the Ministers would always “behave lawfully”.
But he said the ‘Benn Bill’ passed by the Commons – ordering Boris Johnson to seek a Brexit delay – was “deeply flawed”.
And he said: “The precise implications need to be looked at very carefully.”
The ‘Benn Bill’ passed by the Commons earlier this month compels the PM to seek a Brexit delay beyond October 31 if a agreement isn’t struck with the EU by October 19.
But yesterday a top lawyer warned ‘Remain’ MPs there was a loophole that could allow Boris Johnson to legally ignore the Bill.
Jolyon Maugham QC claimed the PM could pass the Withdrawal Act – legislation needed for any Brexit deal to become law – by October 19 and the “obligation to request an extension falls away”.
Speaking to The Sun yesterday the barrister said he had spoken to worried ‘Remain’ rebels about the loophole.
Lord Falconer, a former Labour Justice Secretary, said it was “low class garbage” to suggest the law passed by MPs could be dodged.
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And Speaker John Bercow separately in New York yesterday insisted he believed there was no way Mr Johnson could take Britain out of the EU without a deal at the end of October. Addressing an audience at New York University, he said: “Is a No Deal Brexit before October 31st possible?
“Well, not unless Parliament decided to change the law.”
He added: “I can’t see that happening, unless Parliament changes the law, and I don’t expect to see that happen.”
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