MAJOR FEAR: EX-PM JOHN MAJOR WARNS THAT BORIS JOHNSON COULD USE ‘POLITICAL CHICANERY’ TO SUSPEND REMAINER REBELS’ LAW AGAINST NO DEAL AND FORCE BREXIT ON OCTOBER 31

Sir John Major last night claimed Boris Johnson will try to use the Privy Council to dodge Brexit extension laws.

The former Tory PM fears the Government is planning to pass an Order of Council to suspend the Benn Act until after October 31. Speaking at a Centre for European Reform event at the Spanish Embassy, Sir John said: “My fear is that the Government will seek to bypass Statute Law, by passing an Order of Council to suspend the Act until after October 31.

“It is important to note that an Order of Council can be passed by Privy Councillors — that is Government Ministers — without involving the Queen

“I should warn the Prime Minister that if this route is taken it will be in flagrant defiance of Parliament and utterly disrespectful to the Supreme Court. It would be a piece of political chicanery that no one should ever forgive or forget.”

Sir John also delivered an astonishing warning about Mr Johnson’s populist and “divisive” election strategy — claiming it is “profoundly un-Conservative”.

He accused the PM of “whipping up dissent by using highly emotional and evocative language that can only provoke fear and anger and fuel grievances against Parliament and the law”.