Oral Answers to Questions

Emily Thornberry Excerpts

Thursday 26th May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) (Lab)]

The Attorney General said again today that there is a long-standing convention that prevents her from discussing either the fact or the content of her legal advice on the Northern Ireland protocol, which makes it all the more remarkable that, on Wednesday 11 May, The Times newspaper and BBC “Newsnight” not only disclosed the fact of her legal advice, but actually quoted from its contents. Let me ask her a very straightforward question that requires only a yes or no answer: did she personally authorise the briefings to The Times and “Newsnight” regarding her advice on the protocol—yes or no?

[The Attorney General]

I take the convention incredibly seriously; it is a running thread through the integrity, robustness and frankness with which Law Officers can provide advice. I do not comment on media speculation, and that is the Government’s line. [Interruption.] The measures proposed there are to protect peace in Northern Ireland, to protect the Belfast agreement and to protect our precious United Kingdom—[Interruption.]

--- Later in debate ---

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order. We will stick to the specific subject of the question. If the right hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury is not satisfied with the answer, that is another matter. She will have to come back and ask it again another time.

[Emily Thornberry]

May I raise a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker?

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

No, I cannot take a point of order in the middle of questions.