UK: Scottish court delays ruling on legality of Johnson's Brexit letters

C/U Poster reading: 'Johnson: You are not #Abovethelaw', Edinburgh
W/S Anti-Brexit protesters in front of Court of Session
C/U Poster reading: 'Nobody is above the law, stop Brexit, defend democracy'
W/S Solicitor Elaine Motion arriving at court
W/S Protesters and reporters outside Court of Session
W/S Motion coming out of court
SOT, Elaine Motion, Solicitor: "From our perspective it was a great success again for us because the court have kept hold of this case. They have kept it live to make sure that the Prime Minister continues to comply with the Benn Act and all of the obligations under it."
M/S Protesters outside court *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Elaine Motion, Solicitor: "It is up to the court to decide whether he has broken the law, but it is fair to say that the letters were questionable and the court are aware of that and they have been brought to their attention. So, it is up to the court to decide about the Prime Minister's actions. But, in short we are happy that it is being continued. He has to comply, he cannot frustrate and until the process has come to an end we will continue with this action."
C/U Scottish flag with EU stars on it *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Elaine Motion, Solicitor: "In short, the court have to be satisfied that he has deliberately flouted an undertaking given to the court. And, I think what was interesting what was said to the court today. That it wasn't an undertaking but it was pleadings. That is not what Lord Pentland said. And, if you look at Lord Pentland's decision he makes it quite clear he read it as undertakings. If you give an undertaking to the court then you have to abide by it. If you don't then you are subject to contempt of court and you can be brought before the court to answer that."
C/U Sign reading 'Take your time to get it right! Sign at peoples-vote.uk/letter'
SOT, Elaine Motion, Solicitor: "I think frustration is a wide and deep principle and council, senior council, for the Prime Minister made it clear last time around that he would not seek to frustrate, that he would he abide by the public principle of...under the Benn Act. So, that is what he has to do and I am sure his legal advisers will give him careful legal advice in relation to that."
C/U Sign *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Elaine Motion, Solicitor: "It is a real victory for our guys, for our clients, who have stood up and been given a lot of abuse for doing this. And, they have managed to ensure that the letter has been sent, which is a great victory and this has been continued. So, the Sword of Damocles remains hanging."
C/U Protester's 'Stop Brexit' pin *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Elaine Motion, Solicitor: "Well, the sword drops if he (the Prime Minister) if he frustrates the act or breaches the Benn Act in any way. The sword is released if we have reached the stage where we think that the Benn process had ended and we can come back to court and address the court at that time."
M/S Protesters *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Elaine Motion, Solicitor: "Everybody is answerable to the law and everybody requires to comply with the law, including the Prime Minister."
W/S Motion leaving
SCRIPT
A court in Edinburgh postponed ruling on the legality of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to send the EU multiple contradictory letters requesting a Brexit extension on Monday.
Johnson sent an unsigned letter requesting a Brexit extension after losing a crucial vote related to his deal on Saturday, as he was required to do so by the so-called Benn Act.
However, the prime minister also sent a second signed letter repeating his position that an extension would be damaging and that his government was against one.
Elaine Motion, one of the solicitors for the plaintiffs, talked to the press outside afterwards, stating that Johnson must 'comply with the law' and 'cannot frustrate it'.
The solicitor showed herself happy after the court decided to keep the case going pending the outcome of the request for an extension.
"It is up to the court to decide whether he has broken the law, but it is fair to say that the letters were questionable and the court are aware of that and they have been brought to their attention", said Motion.
"It is up to the court to decide about the Prime Minister's actions. But, in short we are happy that it is being continued. He has to comply, he cannot frustrate and until the process has come to an end we will continue with this action", she added.