Attorney General Geoffrey Cox was today being urged to say whether the Government believed in following the rule of law after ministers cast confusion over whether they would abide by a bill aimed at blocking no deal.
Former justice secretary David Gauke wrote to Mr Cox and the Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland asking them to confirm whether the Government would comply with new legislation over Brexit — or not — even if it disagreed with it.
He sent the extraordinary letter after Cabinet minister Michael Gove refused at the weekend to say whether the Government would abide by a law designed to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal, telling the BBC: “Let’s see what the legislation says.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson today failed to convincingly close down the prospect of the Government ignoring the will of Parliament, or at least trying to get around a new law.
When asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain about whether the Government believed in respecting the law of the land, he said: “What the Government will be totally focused on in the next few days is making sure that any votes that come forward we win.”
Asked if he felt comfortable being part of a Government which might not abide by legislation, he added: “What Michael Gove made clear was that we would look at every piece of legislation that came forward — I never heard him saying that he would be looking at rejecting any piece of legislation — and what impact that would have.”
When pressed on whether the Government would absolutely abide by new laws, the former chief whip said: “What Michael said is we would be looking at what the implications to that legislation would be to the Government’s negotiating position.”
Mr Gauke stressed he is “concerned” that the Government may not abide by legislation blocking a no-deal exit from the EU.
“The rule of law is hugely important to this country and I am concerned by some of the briefings that have been put out by the Government suggesting that they won’t comply with the law, and I think Michael was equivocal on that question yesterday,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“It would be very helpful if the Government could clarify that they believe in the rule of law.
"That’s why I’m writing to the Attorney General and also the Lord Chancellor… to get confirmation that this Government believes in the rule of law, that it will comply with the law, and if legislation is properly passed it will be complied with.”
Adding to the confusion, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom tweeted: “The highest authority in the UK is the people.
"They voted to leave the EU. Parliament must obey that instruction.”
