EU Referendum (Privy Council) Debate

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Department: Leader of the House
Monday 14th March 2016

(8 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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I can only refer to what I said a moment ago, which is that the former Lord President, who attended the said event, has said that the story is categorically untrue. It is therefore a matter for the press complaints body, and not a matter for anyone in the House or in the Government.

Liam Fox Portrait Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) (Con)
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that what we are witnessing is a poorly disguised example of the tendency of the Labour party to play the man and not the ball in any given circumstances? Does he also agree that the workings of the Privy Council are a matter for the Privy Council, and its rules are not the same rules that apply to Ministers who are answerable to the House of Commons?

Chris Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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My right hon. Friend is absolutely right—and it is worth pointing out that the conversation that is alleged to have taken place, and which the former Lord President said did not take place, did not take place at a Privy Council meeting.