British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that he will schedule a Queen’s speech for October 14 to set out his new government’s agenda, but denied that it’s an attempt to prevent MPs from blocking a no-deal Brexit.
“We need to get on with our domestic agenda and that is why we are announcing a Queen’s speech for October 14,” Johnson said on Wednesday, following a raft of reports claiming that he would call on the monarch to suspend parliament and essentially leave his political opponents with a two-week window in which to potentially delay Brexit.
The UK is currently set to leave the EU on October 31.
When questioned about the conspicuous timing of the request to the Queen, Johnson categorically denied that his intention is to scupper political opponents, saying: “That is completely untrue.”
The prime minister added that, in his estimation, there is ample time for parliamentary debate and for both sides to prepare ahead of the European leaders’ summit on October 17.
Downing Street confirmed that Johnson has spoken to the Queen to request an end to the current parliamentary session in the second week of September, with parliamentary votes on the Queen’s speech expected to take place on October 21 and 22.
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