British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked angry talk of a “coup” after he shut down Parliament for several weeks in an extraordinary effort to silence rebel lawmakers and ram through Britain’s departure from the European Union.
The decision to shutter the legislature for more than a month, starting no later than September 12, stifled dissenters as the days ticked toward Britain’s most momentous deadline in generations.
Outraged lawmakers said it concentrates power in Johnson’s hands and sharply curtails their ability to thwart a no-deal Brexit. Some spoke of a constitutional crisis.
Absent a delay, Britain will leave the EU on October 31.