Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks at the parliament, which reconvenes after the UK Supreme Court ruled that his suspension of the parliament was unlawful, in London, Britain, September 25, 2019, in this screen grab taken from video. — Parliament TV via Reuters
LONDON, Sept 26 — Prime Minister Boris Johnson today defended his decision to use the term “surrender act” when speaking about a new law that forces him to seek a Brexit delay if he fails to secure a deal to leave the European Union.
At a meeting of the 1922 Committee of Conservative lawmakers today, Johnson won support for his argument that the law undermined his negotiating position in Brussels and that he was within his rights to describe is as a “surrender act”.
Johnson was criticised by opposition lawmakers and some in his own Conservative Party for using such language yesterday, with some saying it not only deepened divisions but also could incite violence against those working in parliament.
A Conservative lawmaker said Johnson told the committee: “It IS a surrender act,” arguing that it hurt Britain’s negotiating stance with the EU. But the prime minister added that he took threats to lawmakers very seriously.
The lawmaker also quoted Johnson as saying that he could still secure an agreement to leave the EU by October 31, but that negotiations with Ireland on customs were “difficult”.
Johnson hails what he describes as progress in the Brexit talks, but EU officials say Britain has yet to come up with “legal and operational” proposals to solve the thorniest issue of customs arrangements for the new border between British province of Northern Ireland and Ireland after Brexit. — Reuters