Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total cost to the public purse was of legal support provided to Ministers of the Crown in relation to claims for (a) defamation and (b) libel connected with their official duties since 19 December 2019.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.

Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.

As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.

This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.

It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).

More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse is for settling claims for (a) defamation and (b) libel by Ministers since 19 December 2019.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.

Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.

As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.

This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.

It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).

More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on how many individual occasions the provision of legal support has been (a) authorised and (b) declined on claims for (i) defamation and (ii) libel connected with the official duties of Ministers of the Crown since 19 December 2019.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.

Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.

As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.

This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.

It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).

More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.

Found: the benefits of genuine community -led housing schemes from being lost to future generations” .90 Matthew

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: _NC7 Matthew Pennycook To move the following Clause— “Not inviting or encouraging bids for rent

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: _NC7 Matthew Pennycook To move the following Clause— “Not inviting or encouraging bids for rent

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: _NC9 Matthew Pennycook To move the following Clause— “Extension of rent repayment orders (1)

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: _NC9 Matthew Pennycook To move the following Clause— “Extension of rent repayment orders (1)

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: REPORT STAGE Wednesday 13 March 2024 4 _NC6 Matthew Pennycook To move the following Clause— “

Found: Paula Barker Ben Lake Kim Johnson Mrs Sharon Hodgson Valerie Vaz Richard Burgon Dr Rupa Huq Matthew

Found: the benefits of genuine community -led housing schemes from being lost to future generations ”.90 Matthew