There was an angry Tory frontbench during the PM's statement on pending legislation.
David Cameron accused the PM's people of distributing copies of his speech to the press before giving to the House - despite the hacks being heavily briefed in advance on its contents.
I received my copy at 12:31. Nick Clegg received his prior to PMQs.
It's common for opposition spokesmen to get an advance look at ministerial statements, although there are clearly occasions on which this is impossible.
Yesterday the Opposition received no advance notice of the Chancellor's statement on 10p tax.
Today some did (Lib Dems and hacks), but some didn't get at least a preview of the PM's statement.
The Speaker told the House he was looking into the situation - we await his findings.
UPDATE: More on the conventions surrounding release of ministerial statements. As number 10 understand it, the text is sent to the offices of opposition spokesmen forty five minutes before the statement; the press gallery receives their copy at the moment the minister takes to his feet; the Vote Office of the House release copies of the text to MPs and others when the minister completes his statement. If so, my source asks, why would Mr Cameron be so annoyed at prior release to the press gallery? Or is Mr Cameron complaining that he didn't receive his copy - which Downing Street say he did??
Posted by: Baron VonRipwinkle, Uk 15 May 2008 09:23:30
What will the punishment be - if anyone cares?
Posted by: Liz, Suffolk 15 May 2008 10:13:40
If this is correct and the information was on Nu Labour 'hand outs' in Crewe and Nantwich then this is a blatant disregard of the rules or customs of the house solely for party political purposes. This is a disgrace and yet another nail (if they needed any more) in this governments coffin.
Posted by: Baron VonRipwinkle, Uk 15 May 2008 09:23:30
[Who Let the Dogs Out-Baha Men]? The voter knows this was to buy votes, so nothing to worry about!
Posted by: Khalid 14 May 2008 14:39:16
Don't expect any action from Gorbels Mick, he is the PM's sidekick.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 14 May 2008 14:36:31
Gordon would like the public to believe he is an honest man with only the public's interests at heart.
The very fact that he started giving out the compensation details in Nantwich and Crewe just makes it harder to believe. This smacks of desperation from a Government hanging by a thread. Are there no depths to which Gordon will sink?
Posted by: Liz, Suffolk 14 May 2008 13:58:50
Steve, To be fair to Gordon. He did answer a question from a backbencher
" Can the Prime Minister confirm that he will be visiting Crewe and Nantwich"
Answer
"No I cannot"
ROFLMAO
Posted by: Bernard from Horsham 14 May 2008 13:52:20
WILL THE SPEAKER FIND ANYTHING AGAINST THE PRIME MINISTER???
OF COURSE NOT, WHAT DID WE ALL THINK WOULD HAPPEN....
Posted by: David Bruce, Newquay 14 May 2008 13:41:20
"Yesterday the Opposition received no advance notice of the Chancellor's statement on 10p tax."
That's correct. Yet, according to Conservative MP Charles Walker (who raised a Point of Order) the compensation details were already being distributed on leaflets in Crewe & Nantwich.
Further evidence, were it needed, of this governments shameful electioneering practices.
Posted by: JC, Deep South 14 May 2008 13:37:03
"The Speaker told the House he was looking into the situation - we await his findings." - hmmm, given the fact that the speaker has never chastised Gordon Brown despite his breaking of countless parliamentary rules/laws, I won't hold my breath.
Technically, given the blatant lies that Gordon Brown has told in parliament and his constant refusal to answer questions and his obfuscation, the speaker should have physically kicked Gordon Brown out of the building many many times.
Technically the speaker should actually have kicked Gordon Brown out of parliament permanently for all his lies.
This speaker is worse than useless; he's totally biased.
Posted by: Steve, London 14 May 2008 13:34:08
Don't hold your breath.
Posted by: Liz, Suffolk 14 May 2008 13:20:47
Typical Gordon Brown, all about wrong footing the opposition and political advantage. Its a disgrace.
Posted by: Maggie Thatcher Fan 14 May 2008 13:20:16