Parliament Committee Leaks: Speaker tells MPs to return reports
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MPS RECEIVING leaked copies of select committee reports should not make use of them and should return them "without delay", the Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd, said yesterday.
Ms Boothroyd asked the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee to make a ruling after a select committee report on the arms-to-Africa affair was leaked to Robin Cook earlier this year. The Foreign Secretary is now likely to be challenged over his failure to return the report the moment he received it, because the Foreign Office was able to prepare a line of defence before it was published. The report foundthere had been an "appalling" failure by the Foreign Office in its handling of the affair.
Mr Cook has also revealed that he received two other reports by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, has admitted that his parliamentary aide, Don Touhig, was passed a draft copy of a report from the Social Security Select Committee. MPs from all sides have been infuriated by the disclosure of leaks, arguing that it undermines their role in scrutinising the Government.
Ms Boothroyd said the views of the Standards and Privileges Committee were indicated to her in a letter. "The committee's view was that the fundamental responsibility of Members who received leaked copies of documents must be to act in a way not to impede the select committee," she said.
In the committee's judgement, she said, the MP should also not make use of the papers and should return them without delay. Miss Boothroyd added: "The Standards and Privileges Committee may have more to say on this subject, once they have completed their inquiry."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments