Boris Johnson has condemned the Supreme Court’s bombshell ruling that his suspension of parliament was unlawful but has conceded MPs will now come back to the Commons.
The prime minister also indicated he could prorogue parliament again so he can call a Queen’s Speech, which would allow him to bring forward new domestic policies.
Downing Street also reportedly dismissed calls for Johnson’s resignation.
Speaking in New York, the prime minister said: “Obviously this is a verdict that we will respect and we respect the judicial process.
“I have to say that I strongly disagree with what the justices have found.
“I don’t think that it’s right but we will go ahead and of course parliament will come back.”
He went on: “I do think there’s a good case for getting on with a Queen’s Speech anyway and we will do that.”
Put to him that the judges said prorogation would be “unlawful and undemocratic at this time”, Johnson replied: “I’m not certain that the justices did say that.”
He added: “I don’t think the justices remotely excluded the possibility of having a Queen’s Speech but what we will certainly do is ensure parliament has plenty of time to debate Brexit.
“Parliament has been debating Brexit for three years solidly, now is the chance for us to get a deal, come out of the EU on October 31 and that is what we are going to do.”
Former Tory cabinet minister Amber Rudd, who quit the party whip and Johnson’s top team over Brexit, urged the PM to sack chief of staff Dominic Cummings.
She told Sky News: “He’s clearly not getting good advice. He will have to draw his own conclusions from that.
“If I was getting the sort of advice he’s been getting, I would certainly consider some people’s positions.”