MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, has today backed a motion to force the publication of Government legal advice on Brexit’s impact on the Northern Irish border.
The opposition motion called for the publication of the Government’s legal advice on any withdrawal agreement that is reached – including over the terms of the Northern Ireland ‘backstop’. The motion uses the same ancient, but effective, Parliamentary procedure (a ‘Humble Address’) that Labour used last year to successfully force the Government to release the Brexit impact assessments.
The motion passed after the Government abstained, fearing a backbench rebellion and defeat.
The debate follows reports that the Prime Minister has asked the Attorney General to provide legal advice to Cabinet on any withdrawal agreement that is reached. Labour believe this advice should be made available in full, to all MPs and before Parliament is asked to vote on the terms of our departure from the EU.
Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“Today in the Commons I stood up for transparency from the Government on Brexit, something that is rarely forthcoming. It’s telling that they once again resisted but important that they were defeated.
By compelling the publication of this advice we’ve taken an important step in bringing some accountability to the Brexit debate.
The Government have shown utter disregard for the peace process and I won’t accept it nor will I blindly vote to approve the PM’s deal without full transparency on the consequences for Northern Ireland and the Republic.”
