The prime minister has been accused by Labour of breaking an agreement to publish legal advice on the Brexit agreement
Theresa May is facing pressure from the opposition and Tory Brexiteers after her office refused to publish legal advice surrounding the Brexit and Irish backstop deal agreement.
Labour successfully pushed through a resolution in the House of Commons earlier this month requiring the government to publish any legal advice they received on the deal which was subsequently agreed upon at the EU27 meeting on Sunday.
However, the PM’s office so-far agreed only to publish a “full, reasoned position statement”, something which Labour feels does not adequately meet the Common’s requirement.
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer has demanded that his party see the full text, saying: “A legal summary is clearly not sufficient and will not comply with the unanimous decision made by the House of Commons.”
In a letter written on Tuesday, the shadow Brexit secretary has now sought “urgent assurances” from cabinet office minister David Lidington to make sure that all publications will be released.
My letter to David Lidington demanding publication of the government’s full legal advice on its Brexit deal in the next two days. Parliament is entitled to know full legal implications of what the Prime Minister has signed up to. Full transparency and rigorous scrutiny essential. pic.twitter.com/I20A2CUck9
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 27, 2018
Starmer added: “During the debate [this month] it was made clear that the government accepted this limited and reasonable request. The speaker also confirmed the decision taken by the House was binding.”
“At this crucial stage parliament must be given the necessary information to know precisely what has been agreed to and what is being asked for a vote on.”
In response, Ministry of Justice spokesperson, Lord Keen said: “The government recognises the legitimate desire in parliament, from members on all sides and both Houses, to understand the legal implications of the final withdrawal agreement.”
“It complies with the commitment that David Lidington gave to the house.”
The dispute comes at a crucial stage after Theresa May announced yesterday that the “meaningful vote” will take place on Tuesday 11 December, after five days of debates.
