Leaving the EU: Preparations Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Leaving the EU: Preparations

Tom Brake Excerpts
Tuesday 3rd September 2019

(5 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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My right hon. Friend makes a very good point. The Labour party said on page 24 of its 2017 manifesto that it was committed to leaving the European Union and respecting the referendum result, and the overwhelming majority of Labour Members—not all—voted for article 50, which set this year as the legal default date for departure from the European Union. I absolutely respect the rule of law, and so should the Labour Members who voted to leave the EU.

Tom Brake Portrait Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)
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There are widespread reports that the Secretary of State is seeking to sanitise the Operation Yellowhammer documents. Can he confirm that any ministerial demand that civil servants water down Operation Yellowhammer would break the ministerial code, that no civil servants risk being disciplined if they refuse to undertake this work and that they will be covered by whistleblower legislation?