Tory leadership candidates clash over Brexit strategies
Esther McVey said the measure was part of a "toolkit" that could be used to ensure Brexit is delivered on time. But Michael Gove said such a move would be "wrong" and contradict "the best traditions of British democracy". Eleven Conservative MPs are vying to replace Theresa May as party leader and, ultimately, prime minister.
The candidates have been laying out their policies on Brexit and other issues before nominations close at 17:00 BST on Monday. They need eight MPs to back them or they are eliminated from the contest.Jeremy Hunt, another leadership contender, said the EU would be "willing to negotiate" on the Brexit deal if the UK takes the "right approach". Speaking on Sky News on Sunday, the foreign secretary said he had spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and suggested she was open to looking at new solutions for the Irish border issue in talks.
"She said that [...] with a new British prime minister, we would want to look at any solutions you have," he added.Asked whether she would consider using ending the current session of Parliament - a process known as prorogation - to force through a no-deal Brexit, McVey said it would not be her "priority" and she would "not be looking to do that" as prime minister. But the former work and pensions secretary told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "I've said I'd use every tool at my disposal, so that would include that."
If a new prime minister is concerned about MPs blocking the UK's exit from the EU, they could advise the Queen to prorogue Parliament.This would send MPs away so that they cannot do anything in the Commons to hold up Brexit.However, it would be an unprecedented move in modern times to use this power for political reasons, rather than to end a session in preparation for a new Queen's Speech. Fellow Tory leadership candidate Dominic Raab has also suggested he would be prepared to shut down Parliament to ensure the UK leaves the EU on 31 October.
The suggestion has led to criticism from a number of MPs, with Commons Speaker John Bercow saying prorogation to enforce a no-deal exit is "simply not going to happen". Meanwhile, Boris Johnson - in his first major interview of the campaign - compared the Labour and Brexit Party leaders to sea monsters from Greek mythology. "I truly believe only I can steer the country between the Scylla and Charybdis of Corbyn and Farage and on to calmer water," he told the Sunday Times.
