Poppi Worthington

Baroness Laing of Elderslie Excerpts

Thursday 11th February 2016 Commons Chamber

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Sarah Newton.)

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

Before I call the hon. Member for Barrow and Furness (John Woodcock), I should inform the House that as the coroner has now decided that the inquest into the death of Poppi Worthington should be resumed, the subject of this debate may, to some extent, be sub judice. Having carefully considered the matter and the public interest in it, Mr Speaker has decided to exercise the discretion allowed to the Chair to waive the usual restrictions on references to matters sub judice. However, I urge the hon. Gentleman and other Members present to be very careful in what they say and to take due account both of the resumed inquest and of the continuing possibility of a prosecution. I am quite sure that the hon. Gentleman will bear that in mind in dealing with such a very sensitive subject, as will the rest of the House.