As the Tories settle into opposition they are making more use of the letter. Laura Trott managed to get Starmer to correct the record after misleading the Commons over Bridget’s botched Education Bill…
Now Richard Holden has written to independent adviser on ministerial interests Laurie Magnus accusing Liz Twist of breaking the ministerial code with regard to Southport. Twist asked a series of questions at the recent Justice questions in the Commons designed to allow Shabana Mahmood to justify Starmer’s refusal to release information about Axel Rudakubana earlier:
“When the tragedy of Southport happened, crucial details about the case could not be revealed to ensure that the trial did not collapse and the vile perpetrator did not walk away as a free man. However, some on social media were playing by different rules. Does the Secretary of State think that our contempt rules are fit for the modern world?”
This is classic Commons fare. The shadow Paymaster General, however, says that because Liz Twist is Starmer’s PPS she is “possibly asking on instruction” and could be “using her role as a constituency MP asking questions in an Oral session to stage a defence of the Prime Minister.” The Ministerial Code says PPSs “should not make statements in the House nor put questions on matters affecting the department with which they are connected…they should withdraw from any involvement with inquiries into their appointing minister’s department.” Which would reasonably include the Prime Minister’s Office’s response to Southport…
Holden asks Magnus if he will begin an investigation into this “apparent breach.” Read his full letter below:
Continue reading “Tories Accuse Labour of Breaking Ministerial Code with Starmer Southport Defence”
Speaking to Sky News off the back of Rachel Reeves’ Air Passenger Duty hike, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said:
“Labour is dependent on those Red Wall seats, and yet every move she makes poisons economic growth and damages the UK’s recovery… it’s the Chancellor who stumbles from policy misstep to policy misstep… I think her policy decisions are incredibly stupid.”