The Queen could be brought into the bitter Brexit row after a Conservatives leadership contender refused to rule out calling for Parliament's suspension to get Britain out of the European Union.
Earlier this week, former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab refused to rule out calling for the suspension of Parliament if he became Prime Minister.
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Suspending Parliament would ensure MPs couldn't prevent Britain leaving the EU on October 31, leading to a no-deal Brexit.
Formally, the process is referred to as proroguing Parliament. Prorogation occurs typically once a year when the Government wants time to set out a new legislative programme.
But for that to happen, Raab, would need to ask the Queen. While it is essentially up to the Government and the Prime Minister to make the decision, technically only the Queen can prorogue Parliament.
If that occurred, commentators say it would be the first occasion in many years where the Queen has been asked to prorogue Parliament for political reasons.
The suggestion has also been heavily criticised, however, with the Leader of the House, Mel Stride, saying that "Her Majesty should be kept out of politics of our Parliament," reports The Times.
Speaker of the House John Bercow simply said it was "so blindingly obvious" it was not going to happen.
Others within Raab's party have also called it undemocratic. Constitutional experts say it would be an extraordinary move.
It comes as Theresa May steps down on Saturday as Conservative Party leader, officially beginning the new leadership contest. She will remain Prime Minister until her successor is announced.
A previous Brexit deal proposed by May was repeatedly voted down before a March 29 due date. That led to an extension to the Brexit process until the end of October.
Raab and fellow leadership contender Boris Johnson have previously called for Britain to leave the EU with or without a deal.
Newshub.
