Sponsored by
Lancashire MP rebels against Government
A Lancashire Labour MP helped defeat the government after he voted against part of an emergency bill which is being rushed through Parliament to clean up politics.
South Ribble MP David Borrow was one of around 25 Labour rebels to oppose plans to allow parliamentary proceedings being used in court as evidence.
It is the first time since he was elected 12 years ago that he has voted against the Labour government.
Mr Borrow said he opposed the measure because while a self-incriminatory statement made by an MP in the Commons could be used in court, other proceedings or statements could not be used as part of a legal defence.
Such a step would be a major change to the legal principle of parliamentary privilege - where MPs are allowed to speak freely in the Commons without fear of being sued for defamation.
He said that he was also unhappy with the speed with which the government was forcing the Parliamentary Standards Bill through Parliament.
He said: "There should be a separate bill which looks at the whole issue of parliamentary privilege.
"I think there is an argument to be made and it just needs to be properly considered."
MPs rejected by 250 votes to 247 a Parliamentary Standards Bill clause that could allow Commons debates to be used in court as evidence.
Malcolm Jack, Clerk of the Commons, had given warning that such a move could have had a "chilling effect" on MPs' freedom of speech.
Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, said the Government would respect MPs' decision.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
