LONDON (AP) — A former British prime minister has threatened to take Conservative Party leadership candidate Boris Johnson to court if he tries to suspend Parliament to deliver a no-deal Brexit.

John Major's comments follow a televised debate between Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, who are seeking to replace Prime Minister Theresa May. In one of the clashes, Johnson refused to rule out bypassing Parliament to prevent lawmakers from blocking a no-deal departure from the European Union on Oct. 31.

Major told the BBC on Wednesday it would be "utterly and totally unacceptable" for any British leader to shut down Parliament — and that he would seek a judicial review to stop it.

Major said "you cannot and should not bypass Parliament in this fashion."

Hunt has ruled out such a suspension.