Boris Johnson plans to summon MPs if Brexit deal secured — how does the recall of parliament work?

Ashley Cowburn takes a closer look at Westminster rules in case white smoke suddenly emerges in Brussels

(AFP/Getty)

If Boris Johnson manages to secure a deal with the European Union in the coming days, the government will need to act rapidly to ensure the necessary legislation is passed before the end of the transition period on 31 December. 

Despite the House of Commons rising for the Christmas recess on Thursday, MPs have already been put on standby and warned they should expect their festivities to be disrupted and parliament to be recalled if white smoke emerges in Brussels after months of fraught negotiations.

“Parliament has shown it can move at pace and the country would expect nothing less,” a No 10 source said. “The process of recall will align with the process for finalising the legislation for a deal, if one is secured, and no time will be lost.