withdrawal deadline.

Loading

Mr Johnson insisted he was taking the step so he could outline his domestic agenda, and he shot down the notion that he was curbing debate, saying there would be "ample time" to discuss Brexit and other issues.

He had earlier said he asked Queen Elizabeth to give her speech that outlines the Government's legislative agenda on October 14, and that she had approved suspending Parliament between September 12 and October 14 — just ahead of the deadline.

"[Democracy's] taught from such a young age as such a vital thing about being a British person," said 17-year-old student Dylan Butlin.

"Today just completely ruins that, tramples it and throws it out."

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.Watch Duration: 1 minute 3 seconds 1 m 3 s Passions are running high among protesters on the streets of London.

"This is a coup. I know it because I've reported them … What we're seeing now is the theft of a parliamentary institution and tradition going back four hundred years," said left-wing journalist Paul Mason, who was addressing the protest.

British politicians, many of whom were on vacation, reacted with similar fury at the Prime Minister's move.

"Make no mistake, this is a very British coup," Labour Party MP John McDonnell said.

However, the criticism of Mr Johnson was not universal, with some politicians defending the suspension.

Anti-Brexit supporters gathered outside the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street. ( AP: Matt Dunham )

"This is a completely normal procedure," House of Commons