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Supreme Court ruling is a 'constitutional earthquake' says Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has been responding to the Supreme Court ruling that Boris Johnson's prorogration of Parliament was "unlawful". Picture by Hugh Russell
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has been responding to the Supreme Court ruling that Boris Johnson's prorogration of Parliament was "unlawful". Picture by Hugh Russell Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has been responding to the Supreme Court ruling that Boris Johnson's prorogration of Parliament was "unlawful". Picture by Hugh Russell
By Digital Staff

SINN Féin, the SDLP and Alliance have urged British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign following the Supreme Court ruling that Parliament's suspension was unlawful while the DUP has said the decision must be respected.

Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill said today was "another one of those meltdown moments for this British government" and that "Boris Johnson should go".

"What is demonstrates for me is more of the chaos, the dysfunction, the mess that is happening and unfolding day on day in Westminster."

Speaking to RTÉ, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald described the judgement as a "constitutional earthquake". 

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Mr Johnson was  "unfit for the office he holds" and called for a general election.

"Full scrutiny of this government and its plans for a hard Brexit must now be restored and challenged immediately. Johnson must be removed from office and Brexit called to a halt."

Alliance leader Naomi Long added her voice to Mr Eastwood's.

"Boris Johnson's decision to attempt to prorogue Parliament was motivated by his desire to shut down debate on Brexit, attempting to stifle democracy and silence the voices of our elected representatives at a time of severe crisis.

"He has pushed our unwritten constitution to its limits and abused his powers. He has proven himself to be unfit for office and his position is now untenable. He must resign immediately."

DUP leader Arlene Foster has tweeted that the ruling of the highest court in the UK "has to be respected".

Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann described the judgment as "devastating" for the British government.

"The decision of the Supreme Court must be respected so that we can return to some semblance of normality, if that is possible in the current climate."

Green Party leader Clare Bailey said it was "imperative" that Parliament is reconvened and called for "a people's vote".    

Read more: 

  • Supreme Court rules parliament suspension was unlawful
  • Read in full - Lady Hale's Supreme Court statement on prorogation of parliament
  • Who is Lady Hale?
Protesters celebrating outside the Supreme Court in London, where judges have ruled that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's advice to the Queen to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful. Picture by Jonathan Brady/PA Wire 
Protesters celebrating outside the Supreme Court in London, where judges have ruled that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's advice to the Queen to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful. Picture by Jonathan Brady/PA Wire  Protesters celebrating outside the Supreme Court in London, where judges have ruled that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's advice to the Queen to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful. Picture by Jonathan Brady/PA Wire