European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension Letter Debate

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Department: Department for Exiting the European Union

European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension Letter

Peter Grant Excerpts
Monday 21st October 2019

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I think the hon. Gentleman was referring to a show at 9’o’clock on Sunday morning. I do periodically watch that programme—it is not top of my list of priorities, but occasionally I will observe it—but I am bound to say that it was a rather greater priority yesterday morning at 9 o’clock to be playing tennis.

Peter Grant Portrait Peter Grant (Glenrothes) (SNP)
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As well as the unsigned letter that the Prime Minister refused even to grace with his name, he sent another letter, signed in his own name, saying, in effect, “Dear Donald, please ignore the first letter I’ve sent you. I sent it only to comply with an Act of Parliament.” If the purpose of that second letter was not to deliberately attempt to frustrate an Act of this Parliament, what on earth was the second letter for?

Steve Barclay Portrait Stephen Barclay
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As I have said in response to several questions, the Prime Minister is entitled to express his view, and that should not come as a surprise to the hon. Gentleman. The Prime Minister has complied with the law, and leading legal figures such as Lord Pannick accept that he has done so. In addition, he has set out his view, as he is entitled to do.