Exclusive: Government plan to invoke EU law's supremacy to ensure Brexit on Halloween

Former Prime Minister and Remain campaigner Sir John Major gave a speech saying he believed the plan was to “bypass Statute Law, by passing an Order of Council to suspend the Act until after 31 October.” He told attendees at a Centre for European Reform event, held at the Spanish Embassy: “It is important to note that an Order of Council can be passed by Privy Councillors – that is Government Ministers – without involving HM The Queen.”

But Major warned: “If this route is taken – it will be in flagrant defiance of Parliament and utterly disrespectful to the Supreme Court.”