“Everything you’ve wanted to know about the Privy Council, but been afraid to ask …”

Prorogation: How can the government suspend Parliament? Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked the Queen to suspend Parliament days after MPs return to work. It means MPs are unlikely to have time to pass laws that could stop the UK leaving the European Union (EU) without a deal on 31 October. That exit date is written into law, so if nothing changes the UK will leave automatically - whether or not a deal has been reached. Can the prime minister close Parliament?