Anti-Brexit MPs could have their Parliament passes deactivated to stop a sit-in
MUTINOUS MPs face having their Commons passes deactivated to stop them staging a sit-in to block Brexit.
It is among a range of measures open to security chiefs to stop this week’s debates descending into chaos.
Officials fear some will resort to desperate action as feelings run high over Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament.
Some MPs have secretly discussed occupying the Commons in defiance of the Queen’s decision to halt sittings from next Monday temporarily.
Any votes taken would only be binding if the mace — symbol of the monarch’s authority and kept by pro-Remain Speaker John Bercow — is in the chamber.
But contingency plans have been drawn up by security officials to cover every eventuality, including a threat to bust prorogation.
One option discussed was to deactivate the Parliamentary passes which MPs and peers must swipe to gain entrance to the estate.
Channel on TV to provoke disorder
LEFTIES organising anti-Brexit demos want to launch a socialist propaganda TV channel dedicated to disorder.
Activist Paul Mason has called for a news station to smooth the way for joint resistance.
Mason joined MPs to protest against the proroguing of Parliament last week.
He was heard to shout: “We are coming for you Borish Johnson, ready or f*****g not.”
COMMONS CHAOS
A source said: “There would be merry hell if we did it but senior officials have a plan for every eventuality – including the craziest scenarios. There was a febrile atmosphere about the place before the recess but we suspect many will be fired up for a battle when they return on Tuesday.”
MPs will try to seize control of the Parliamentary agenda on Tuesday — and then ram through a new law forcing the PM to delay Brexit unless he can strike a deal with the EU.
But Brexit-backers will attempt to talk out the move by staging long-winded debates and raising points of order during its passage through the Commons and the Lords. Their idea is to run down the clock before the five-week suspension of proceedings begins.
Once Parliament has been prorogued, sittings can only resume in the event of the monarch’s death, war or a national emergency, such as an earthquake or disease outbreak. A “rabble alliance” of anti-Brexit MPs have discussed holding sittings outside of Parliament.
Security teams have had extra briefings and staff advised to remove passes as they leave to avoid being harangued by demonstrators.
Labour MP Hilary Benn has emerged as the latest choice by an all-party group of Remainers to lead a new government of “national unity”. But Jeremy Corbyn still believes he should be the man to take charge if the PM is forced aside.
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