History was made on Tuesday as the Government was held in Contempt of Parliament for the first time ever. MPs voted on a motion about several hours of debates, which concluded with the Government being found in contempt over the failure to release the legal advice in full in relation to the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal.
The Government faced two defeats in the House of Commons in quick succession, as they also lost a vote on an amendment to the motion, which sought to delay any decision on the Contempt of Parliament motion. The motion was put forward on Monday evening and was signed by Shadow Brexit Secretary, Kier Starmer, along with 5 other representatives of opposition parties.
Following their defeats in the Commons, the Government promised to publish the full legal advice.
The Government being found in contempt has never happened before. Individuals have been found in contempt previously, but never the government. The vote on the motion on Tuesday evening came during a marathon day in Parliament for MPs, who also started five days of debates on the Brexit deal.
Wednesday’s national newspaper front pages described ‘humiliation for the Prime Minister, who continues in her battle to try and gain support for her Brexit deal.
