Brexit: Tory grandee Lord Young quits over Boris Johnson’s parliament suspension
The IndependentSign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A member of Boris Johnson’s government has resigned over the prime minister’s suspension of parliament in the run-up to Brexit, saying he is “very unhappy” with its timing, length and motivation. He said he was “unpersuaded” by the government’s explanation that the suspension of parliament from the second week in September to 14 October was unrelated to Brexit, but was needed to prepare for a Queen’s Speech setting out Mr Johnson’s legislative agenda. Lord Young, who was also a government spokesman on Cabinet Office affairs in the House of Lords, said that his resignation was “not primarily about Brexit”, as he was ready to accept the Johnson team’s policy of trying to leave with a deal, while also preparing for no-deal. He said he had been “reassured” by Mr Johnson’s statement during the Conservative leadership election that he was “not attracted” to the idea of using prorogation to force through a no-deal Brexit.