Lobby and Media Briefings: Journalists' Access Debate
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Deidre Brock
Main Page: Deidre Brock (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh North and Leith)Department Debates - View all Deidre Brock's debates with the Cabinet Office
Lobby and Media Briefings: Journalists' Access
Deidre Brock Excerpts(4 years, 10 months ago)
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Chloe Smith
I welcome that glimpse of experience. It is important to say again that what we are discussing here today are the normal operations of the lobby. We are making sure that that is supplemented by these additional briefings.
Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) (SNP)
These are the words of the Prime Minister in 2017 when he was Foreign Secretary:
“Where governments fear freedom of expression they often try to shut down media and civil society, or clip their wings.”
He also said:
“A free media is vital to creating a vibrant, informed and engaged population and helps to support a safer, more prosperous and progressive world.”
Why does he now think that freedom of the press is important everywhere except Downing Street?
Chloe Smith
Because the hon. Lady is wrongly describing the situation. The Prime Minister stands by those words, as do I.