Contributions
348 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationThe Opposition want me to sit down, so I will gratify them and do so.25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI know that my right hon. Friend knows that, when it comes to the judges—though not to this shower on the Opposition Benches—I want to be, if I can, respectful and careful. It is…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI certainly will talk to the Chief Whip about the matter. If there is consent from all parties, we might as well do something while we are waiting for the Opposition to make up…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationAs I have said in the past, I cannot answer questions about witness statements or the internal preparations of the Government’s case for this Supreme Court.25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI am grateful to my hon. Friend for the question. I cannot disclose what advice I gave. The hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh South West, who first asked this urgent question,…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationMay I then encourage the hon. Lady to ensure that we vote for the election motion that will come before the House shortly? That way she can try to ensure that what she hopes for…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI am not sure that that is a question for the Attorney General. I am sure the hon. Gentleman can find somebody who is able to deal with it better than I could, but what I will say…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI cannot comment on matters that are plainly covered not only by the convention but by legal professional privilege, but I say to my hon. Friend that the Government’s position was…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationIf I have given offence, I certainly did not mean to. It is an old saying at the Bar, which simply relates to a cross-examination technique of asking a question that presumes the…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI am not sure I could have put that language in a parliamentary way. The Supreme Court’s decision was legitimate, perfectly reasonable and proper. We should be proud of our…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI do not believe that it is taxable, but if my right hon. Friend will permit me, I would need to look into it, and if she wishes, I will certainly write to her on the subject.25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationThere is nothing in this judgment that applies directly to the question of our departure from the European Union. As the justices made clear, this was a decision solely on the…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationThe same consequences that flow from any good-faith implementation of advice that, at the time, is perfectly respectable and tenable advice, as this was. The fact of the matter is…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI am not sure I discerned a question in that marshmallow of rhetoric, but in so far as there was a question, there is an answer. If the hon. Gentleman thinks the Government should…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI completely agree. This House’s actions are bringing it into discredit. It is abandoning almost all reasonable precedent. The time has come for a general election, and to resist…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationAs the hon. and learned Lady knows, the Supreme Court gave judgment on this issue yesterday, and that judgment sets out the definitive and final legal position on the advice given…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationIf the Prime Minister had wished to prevent this House from debating Brexit, he would have prorogued it from 5 September to 14 October. Is the hon. Gentleman seriously suggesting…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI simply cannot comment on matters that pertain to the internal preparation of cases, which are covered by legal professional privilege. It is simply not reasonable to ask people…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI will say one thing for the Scottish National party and the hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh South West (Joanna Cherry) if I may. Whereas in the hon. Gentleman’s case, no…25 Sept 2019HANSARD Legal Advice: ProrogationI know that my right hon. and learned Friend will understand that it is not right for the Attorney General or any Cabinet Minister to comment on leaks of matters that occurred…25 Sept 2019