DUP Join Opposition Parties In Contempt Call

The DUP has joined in with other opposition parties in the House of Commons to write to the Speaker and ask him to launch proceedings against the Government.

The cross-party effort follows the refusal to publish the full legal advice of Theresa May's proposed Brexit deal.

Six political parties said the Attorney General failed to comply with a resolution by MPs and have signed the damning letter addressed to John Bercow.

Nigel Dodds MP, the DUP's Westminster leader, released a copy of the text on social media and said: "The Government has refused to listen. Parliament cannot be ignored."

The letter reads: "It is apparent to us, and we believe the overwhelming majority of the House, that the information released today does not constitute the final and full advice provided by the Attorney General to the Cabinet.

"It does not comply with a motion of the House that you have ruled to be effective.

"We would now ask that you consider giving the House of Commons the opportunity to debate and consider this matter of contempt at the earliest opportunity."

Among those who added their signatures were Caroline Lucas MP, Leader of the Green Party in England, Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Brexit and Stephen Gethins MP, SNP Foreign Affairs and Europe spokesperson.

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC appeared in the House of Commons on the afternoon of Monday 04 December to address concerns over the legal advice on the UK's withdrawal agreement with the EU.

He took a swipe at the opposition: "There is no use of baying and shouting from the members opposite. What am I trying to do is guard the public interest. That's all," he said.

"And it's time they grew up and got real."



(JG/CM)