UK Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said Thursday that his government will respect the outcome of an expected ruling by Britain's top court on whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson acted unlawfully when he suspended Parliament.

Johnson sent lawmakers home until 14 October, and his opponents claim he did it to prevent them scrutinizing his plan to take Britain out of the EU at the end of next month, with or without a divorce deal.

Speaking during a visit to Madrid, Barclay said the government would "abide" by the Supreme Court's ruling.

The court was hearing final arguments Thursday. Judges were set to hear from a lawyer for the former prime minister, John Major, who is among those challenging the decision by Johnson, one of his successors as Conservative leader.

Opponents have also accused the prime minister of misleading Queen Elizabeth II, whose formal approval was needed to suspend the legislature.

The government says the suspension is routine and not motivated by Brexit, and argues that judges should not interfere in politics.

Madrid - 19 September 2019

1. UK Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay entering breakfast meeting with Spanish business leaders

2. Conference sign

3. Wide of Barclay

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen Barclay, UK Brexit Secretary:

"And it is absolutely the correct process that on these matters, then the Supreme Court will form a view and I await that judgement and we of course as a government will abide by it."

5. Camera

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen Barclay, UK Brexit Secretary:

"This was a clear democratic decision of the British people (EU referendum), it is damaging, I think, for democracy if people start to say they will pick and choose which democratic votes they adhere to, I don't think that's what politicians should do so it is important that we deliver on the result. There is time from the (European) Council to the 31st of October. And parliament, there is one thing as the minister for Brexit I can assure you of is parliament has not had a shortage of time to discuss the issue of Brexit."

7. Attendees

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen Barclay, UK Brexit Secretary:

"The UK government abides by the law, the ministerial code requires ministers, including myself to abide by the law, and of course we will abide by the law. Now that it is not to say that we won't look at it closely and test exactly where we are."

9. Wide of Barclay