Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Farry Excerpts

Thursday 25th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point; when it comes to many foreign defence and security questions, his is a sane and sensible voice. He is absolutely right that all political parties should be made aware of some of the potential attempts to subvert our democracy. Therefore I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure that the material that we can share is shared and that everyone is aware of what we need to do to defend our democracy.

[Stephen Farry (North Down) (Alliance) [V]]

The calming influence of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is going to be missed in the post-Brexit discussions with the European Union. How does he see long-term sustainable solutions being found around the Northern Ireland protocol in the light of the damage done to trust as a result of the unilateral extensions of the grace periods?

[Michael Gove]

I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman. The first thing that I would say is that it is important that we make sure that the interests of all the people of Northern Ireland come first. The decision on grace periods was taken in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of commercial operators in Northern Ireland. It is interesting that Northern Ireland retailers, businesses and so on, without prejudice to their views on Brexit or the protocol, welcomed these pragmatic steps.

I have enormous respect and affection for the hon. Gentleman, but this must be the first time ever, in this House or anywhere else, that I have been described as a calming influence, and I can only say thank you. All sorts of epithets have been flung at me, but to be described in such a way as to suggest that a former occupant of your Chair, Mr Speaker, might have described me as the equivalent of a parliamentary soothing medicament is perhaps the kindest thing that has ever been said about me.