MP: Due process should be respected
Today the House of Commons is considering a motion on whether the Prime Minister should be referred to the Committee on Privileges, which could take evidence and come to a conclusion as to whether the Prime Minister has knowingly misled the House. The Committee’s conclusions would then pass to the House for MPs to vote on whether they accept the conclusions or not. The Committee’s investigation would take place after the Metropolitan Police had concluded its enquiries.
John asked,
“I lost my mother to covid in the first lockdown. It was a very painful experience because she was in a hospital bed and, as we obeyed the rules, we could not be by her side when she passed. I have made my disquiet known to the Prime Minister a couple of times, and he has taken that on board. I am deeply unhappy about how No 10 performed over the period in question. However, I suggest to the right hon. and learned Member that it is perfectly natural in this country to weigh all the evidence before deciding on intent. As the central issue is whether the Prime Minister misled Parliament, does he agree that, in us all accepting that the matter should be referred to the Privileges Committee, that Committee needs to weigh all the evidence before coming to a decision, and that that includes the Sur Gray report?”
The Leader of the Opposition, Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, expressed sympathy to John about his mother, and said that it was important that the Police conclude their activities before the Committee began its investigation. He did not address the Sue Gray report.
John said afterwards,
“The Prime Minister has announced that he is happy for the Commons to decide whether to refer him to the Committee on Privileges – this is the right course of action.”
“If there is a vote today, I will be supporting the motion.”
