John Baron MP supports Government in contempt debate

MP says release of sensitive papers not in national interest

Last night in the House of Commons, the Speaker agreed to a request from representatives from opposition parties, including the Labour Party, Democratic Unionist Party, and the Liberal Democrats, to hold a debate today into whether Government ministers are in contempt of Parliament. On 13th November, an Opposition day debate used an old Parliamentary procedure to demand the release of the full and final legal opinion of the Attorney General. Citing the national interest, the Government has not complied with this demand, which led the Speaker to grant today’s emergency debate.

In the Chamber, John said,

“I would not start from this position by choice. However, we have to judge the situation as we see it now. The issue the Opposition has not been able to answer is that their suggestion is an ‘all or nothing’ approach which does not reflect the sensitivities of this particular issue. There is no filter to allow genuine issues of national interest to be redacted.”

“And whilst I am of the view that the opinion of Parliament must weigh heavily on the Government, this needs to be balanced against matters of national interest. We do not question non-disclosure regarding our secret services, special forces or Cabinet minutes. To secure this delicate balance, we need that filter which is why I support the Committee of Privileges looking into this case.”

John said afterwards,

“The Government’s confidential legal advice fits into this category of national interest – it would not help our negotiations to enable the EU or any other government to see these sensitive papers, and it does not help the workings of government if ministers can not engage in free and frank internal debate.”