Britain's Supreme Court enters Brexit crisis

Britain's Supreme Court began considering legal challenges Tuesday to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's controversial decision to suspend parliament for over a month, as the country's political crisis over Brexit intensifies.

The court started hearing three days of arguments over Johnson's move to shutter, or prorogue, the House of Commons last week until October 14 -- just two weeks before the country is scheduled to leave the European Union.

This handout picture taken and released by the Information and Press service of the government of the Grand Duchy of Lxembourg on September 16, 2019 shows British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after a meeting with EU Commission President and officials at the Ministere d’Etat in Luxembourg. [Photo: AFP]

The politically-charged case, unprecedented in Britain, could lead to parliament being recalled and Johnson's political hand severely weakened in the run-up to the October 31 departure date.

The appeals revolve around "whether it was lawful for the prime minister to advise Her Majesty to order prorogation," Supreme Court President Brenda Hale said as she opened proceedings.

"This is a serious and difficult question of law.

"We are not concerned with the wider political issues.

"The determination of this legal issue will not determine when and how the UK leaves the EU."

At a small demonstration outside, protesters held up placards reading "Defend Democracy".

One was dressed as the Incredible Hulk -- a reference to an analogy made by Johnson between the comic book character and Britain as it prepares to leave the EU.

It is not known when Britain's highest court will reach a decision.

Johnson told BBC television beforehand that he would "wait and see what the judges say".

Johnson chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the day after holding his first face-to-face talks with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

Following the meeting in Luxembourg he insisted there remained a "good chance" of striking a new divorce deal -- if there was "movement" from the bloc.

But Juncker's office appeared more pessimistic, saying Britain must "come forward with legally operational solutions" to the existing withdrawal agreement struck by his predecessor Theresa May.

"Such proposals have not yet been made," it said.

- 'Entirely proper' -

The Supreme Court's entry into the three-and-a-half year saga stems from Johnson's "do or die" promise to deliver Brexit on October 31.

He suspended parliament for five weeks in what his critics say was a blatant bid to keep his pro-European opponents from trying to get it further postponed.

The government counters that parliament is usually dissolved yearly and that Johnson was simply clearing the way for a new agenda following May's resignation in July.

The Supreme Court has called in the maximum 11 of its 12 judges to hear the case, so that there cannot be a tie.

They must rule on whether they even have the right to adjudicate on the politically contentious issue, before considering Johnson's motivations for the move.

The High Court in England said it was not a matter for the courts to decide upon, while Scotland's highest civil court called the suspension "unlawful".

David Pannick, representing campaigners appealing against the High Court decision, opened his case by saying that Johnson had asked Queen Elizabeth II to suspend parliament "to avoid what he saw as the risk that parliament, during that period, would take action to frustrate or to damage the policies of his government."

London's Queen Mary University law professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott said the verdict could have monumental consequences not only for Brexit but also how the world's oldest parliamentary democracy functions in future.

"If parliament is prorogued (suspended) with no remedy available then the balance of power is tipped far too heavily to the executive," she told AFP.

A defeat for Johnson would leave him open to charges that he has effectively lied to Queen Elizabeth and likely calls for his resignation.

The British monarch is the head of state and is constitutionally bound to act on her prime minister's advice.

- 'Dead in a ditch' -

Ahead of its suspension parliament rushed to pass a law forcing Johnson to ask Brussels for a delay if no compromise emerges from an October 17-18 EU summit in Brussels.

But he has insisted he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than ask his European counterparts to postpone Brexit for a third time.

Johnson is hoping widespread fears a chaotic "no-deal" end to Britain's 46-year involvement in the European project will push its leaders to compromise.