Canadian PM wins parliament closure

Canada’s prime minister tonight announced he has been given permission to suspend parliament, allowing him to delay a vote that could bring down his new government.

Stephen Harper said Governor General Michaelle Jean agreed to his request to shut down parliament until he can present a budget late next month.

Mr Harper’s move is unprecedented, and comes less than two months after he won re-election.

The opposition accuses him of not having a solid plan to help the economy.

If the governor general had turned down the request, Mr Harper would have been forced to step down or face a no-confidence vote he was sure to lose on Monday.