Speaker attacks government for ‘unsatisfactory’ use of power in coronavirus laws
The Government has been condemned for introducing coronavirus laws and restrictions in a ‘totally unsatisfactory’ way that shows ‘total disregard’ for the House of Commons.
In a scathing attack, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told the Prime Minister that ‘all too often’ important legal restrictions have been published ‘a matter of hours before they come into force’.
He went on to say he has not selected any amendments to a motion to extend emergency coronavirus powers for MPs to avoid ‘undermining the rule of law’ adding: ‘I hope my earlier comments show I have not taken this decision lightly, I am looking to the Government to remedy a situation I regard as completely unsatisfactory.’
More than 50 Tory rebels were understood to have signed an amendment requiring the Government to consult Parliament on any new measures, ahead of a crucial vote over whether ministers can continue to impose sweeping controls on the country without MPs’ approval.
The Prime Minister is under pressure to give MPs a say ahead of the vote on renewing the Coronavirus Act today.
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Rebel Tories claimed the Government would be defeated for ‘certain’ in the amendment put forward by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential backbench 1922 Committee, and backed by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Former chief whip Mark Harper earlier claimed up to 100 backbench conservatives may have supported the amendment.
Opening Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons today, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: ‘The way in which the Government has exercised its power to make secondary legislation during this crisis has been totally unsatisfactory.
‘All too often important statutory instruments have been published a matter of hours before they come into force and some explanations as to why important measures have come into effect before they can be laid before this house has been unconvincing and shows a total disregard for the House.’
He added: ‘When I became Speaker I made it clear that I would take decisions on matters relating to procedures guided by professional advice.
‘I have concluded on the basis of advice that I received that any amendment to the motion before the House risks giving rise to uncertainty about the decision the House has taken.
‘This then risks decisions that are rightly the responsibility of Parliament ultimately being determined by the courts.’
At PMQs, Boris Johnson was grilled on local lockdowns and new restrictions that business experts have warned risk the collapse of the hospitality sector and mass unemployment. He explained he does not want to impose lockdown rules but that he has to take ‘strong, local action’ to stop the virus spreading.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer questioned why only one area of England – Luton – has ever come out of local lockdown.
Mr Johnson replied: ‘The reason, I think, for the success of Luton is that the local people pulled together to suppress the virus, to follow the guidance, and that is the way forward for the entire country.
‘That is what we did before in March and April, and I have no doubt that that is what we’re going to do again.’
The opposition leader then asked what the ‘strategy’ was to bring other areas still under tight restrictions out of them ‘so they can see their families again’.
The PM said: ‘Nobody wants to impose restrictions of this kind whether in Bradford or anywhere else in the country and we work very closely with local authorities to ensure that we have the right mix of the approach that we adopt.
‘But, frankly, when you have the virus going up in the way that it is now in some parts of the country, you have to take strong, local action.’
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