Brexit: MPs hold government in contempt over legal advice

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer speaks following a vote to hold the government in contempt of parliament

The government has bowed to demands to publish the "final and full" legal advice on her Brexit deal after suffering a humiliating Commons defeat.

A motion tabled by Labour, the SNP, other opposition parties and the DUP which argued ministers were in contempt due to their failure to fully publish advice given to Cabinet by Attorney General Geoffrey Cox was approved by 311 votes to 293, for a majority 18.

It also ordered the "immediate publication" of the legal advice.

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He said: "Today's finding of contempt is a badge of shame for this Government. It is of huge constitutional and political significance.

"Never before has the House of Commons found ministers in contempt of Parliament. It is highly regrettable that the Government has let it come to this, but ministers left the opposition with no option but to bring forward these proceedings.

"By treating Parliament with contempt, the Government has proved it has lost its majority and the respect of the House. The Prime Minister can't keep pushing Parliament away or avoiding responsible scrutiny."

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom said: "We've tested the opinion of the House twice on this very serious subject.

"We've listened carefully and in light of the expressed will of the House we will publish the final and full advice provided by the Attorney General to Cabinet but recognising the very serious constitutional issues this raises I have referred the matter to the privileges committee to consider the implications of the humble address."

This amendment asked for the Committee of Privileges to question whether ministers were in contempt of Parliament over the issue and could have delayed any publication of the advice.