The economy is ‘hanging in the balance’ while senior figures play political games, a business leader says.

Ian Girling, chief executive of the Dorset Chamber, issued a stern warning amid political turbulence over Brexit.

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson succeeded in suspending Parliament for more than a month before the October 31 EU exit deadline – a decision which critics claim is a bid to limit the time available for MPs to debate Brexit.

The move has sparked protests around the country, a legal challenge, and an online petition which has gathered more than one million signatures.

Mr Girling said: “Business feels as if Westminster is playing an endless game of political chess while the health of the economy hangs in the balance. Every move in this game prompts more questions at home and abroad with the future prosperity of our country at stake.

“More than three years after the EU referendum it is mindboggling that we still find ourselves in the same position.

“Business in Dorset has weathered the storm admirably so far but the continued turbulence continues to cause uncertainty. The top priority is still to avoid a messy and disorderly Brexit from the EU, and I would urge all politicians to bear in mind the ‘real world’ impact of their decisions in the Westminster bubble.

“The time is over for political games – they must put the best interests of the economy and our country first.”

Meanwhile, West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin, who said this week he did not agree with the Prime Minister’s bid to suspend Parliament and would be supporting a move to block it, has faced calls to resign the Conservative whip.

It comes from Edward Morello, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, who said: “If Sir Oliver does oppose this move by his government, then he should resign the

Conservative whip immediately. There is no time to waste, and history will judge him for what he decides to do.”

Sir Oliver has also come in for criticism from Rosie Darkin-Miller, the Brexit Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, who said while the majority of his constituents voted Leave, “he has spent most of the last three years trying to Remain”.

She added: “He claims to be working to prevent a ‘disorderly, undemocratic no deal exit’, but the ballot paper on which we voted did not mention any deal. Our choice was to Leave or Remain.

“It is a shame that a hardworking, intelligent MP like Oliver Letwin was not able to get behind his country at this time. The steps that he and other remain MPs have taken have weakened the government’s negotiating stance, and made the no deal which he is purports to be trying to avoid that much more likely.”

Sir Oliver did not want to comment.