London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday unveiled plans to suspend Parliament until October 14, days ahead of the October 31 Brexit deadline, in order to present what was described as a "new bold and ambitious legislative agenda", a move which has attracted widespread criticism from the Opposition. Downing Street said Johnson had spoken to Queen Elizabeth II to request an end to the current parliamentary session in its second sitting week next month, starting September 9.

Three Conservative party members of the Queen's Privy Council, the monarch's body of advisers, took the formal request to her Scottish residence at Balmoral Castle on Wednesday morning on behalf of Johnson. It was then approved, allowing the government to suspend Parliament any time between September 9 and 12 until October 14.