Legal Advice: Prorogation Debate

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Department: Attorney General

Legal Advice: Prorogation

Angela Smith Excerpts
Wednesday 25th September 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Geoffrey Cox Portrait The Attorney General
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May I place on the record, Mr Speaker, my endorsement entirely for your expression of gratitude to the staff of the House? They do an extraordinarily great job. We are deeply grateful to them for that and for the speed with which they have been able to facilitate the resumption of Parliament.

Angela Smith Portrait Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (LD)
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The question remains unanswered of who had sight of the legal advice before the decision was taken, so I ask the Attorney General once again: did the Cabinet and the Prime Minister’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, have sight of the legal advice?

Geoffrey Cox Portrait The Attorney General
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The hon. Lady will know that I cannot disclose whether I gave advice or the content of any such advice. It is covered by the Law Officers convention. The question, “Was the advice shown?” presumes that there was advice. It simply contradicts the Law Officers convention. I wish I could answer her question, but I cannot.