Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests Resignation

Brendan O'Hara Excerpts

Thursday 16th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We now come to SNP spokesperson Brendan O’Hara.

[Brendan O'Hara (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)]

Another day, another scandal, another humiliation for the Prime Minister as another sleaze adviser quits. Let us not forget that when Lord Geidt took this job on 16 months ago he was the personal appointment of the Prime Minister, and we were assured that his credentials were absolutely impeccable. Lord Geidt said that if he were to resign it would be a last resort, and that he would use that resignation to send a critical signal into the public domain. We need to know what critical signal he was sending out last night. As yet, we do not have details of his resignation letter. We could speculate—could it be lawbreaking? PPE contracts? Breach of international law? I am pleased that the Minister is publishing the correspondence in full, but will he define “shortly”, as opposed to immediately, and will he confirm that all the correspondence will be published in full when it is published?

[Michael Ellis]

Lord Geidt’s credentials are impeccable and remain impeccable. He is an example to people like me and to all people in public life for the service he has given to Queen and country over the course of decades. The hon. Gentleman seeks to criticise people who hold those public roles and make political points if they do not support his position, and I suggest that is not the right approach.

[Brendan O'Hara]

No, I don’t! That is shameful nonsense!

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I call Sheryll Murray.