Debates between Geoffrey Cox and Nick Boles during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Wed 25th Sep 2019

Legal Advice: Prorogation

Debate between Geoffrey Cox and Nick Boles
Wednesday 25th September 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Geoffrey Cox Portrait The Attorney General
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I cannot comment on matters that are plainly covered not only by the convention but by legal professional privilege, but I say to my hon. Friend that the Government’s position was set out clearly in argument—if she followed it all, she will know it went on for a very long time—and the Supreme Court decided against it. We accept that position.

Nick Boles Portrait Nick Boles (Grantham and Stamford) (Ind)
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Having lost in court, the Attorney General is keen to try his hand at another test—an election. Perhaps I can help him. In paragraph 41 of the unanimous judgment, the Supreme Court refers to

“Two fundamental principles of our constitutional law”,

saying:

“The first is the principle of Parliamentary sovereignty: that laws enacted by the Crown in Parliament are the supreme form of law in our legal system, with which everyone, including the Government, must comply.”

Can the Attorney General confirm that he and the Government will comply with the law known as the Benn Act, recently passed by this Parliament and which has received Royal Assent?