Attorney General ‘will consider’ publishing advice on any fresh Brexit deal
The assurance came after Theresa May said she would be seeking “legal and political assurances” on the Brexit backstop from the EU.
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox “will consider” publishing his legal advice on Theresa May’s revised Brexit deal.
The Prime Minister is currently seeking fresh concessions from the EU on her deal after surviving a confidence vote with Tory MPs.
She pledged to seek “legal and political assurances” on the Brexit backstop to allay MPs’ concerns about her Withdrawal Agreement when she attends a European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday.
Mr Cox faced calls from DUP and Labour MPs to publish any advice if Mrs May manages to get a revised deal.
Shadow solicitor general Nick Thomas-Symonds, speaking in the Commons, said: “The Prime Minister said last night on the steps of Downing Street that she is seeking, and I quote, ‘legal and political changes’ to the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop.
“As a matter of honour if nothing else, if the Attorney General advises on any changes or additions the Prime Minister brings back, will he disclose his advice upon that to this House?”
Mr Cox responded: “The Government will consider very carefully, particularly in the light of this House’s expressed wishes for assistance on these matters, what assistance it and I as Attorney General can give.”
DUP MP Jim Shannon (Strangford) later added: “Can the minister further outline when legal opinion based on the changes that have been sought by the Prime Minister for the Withdrawal Agreement will be released clarifying any legal change and advice?”
Mr Cox responded: “I will consider, of course, what assistance the House might require and indeed I shall listen to the House in connection with that very carefully as to any changes that are introduced to the Withdrawal Agreement and what the Government should do in terms of publishing legal opinion on it.”
Labour MP Lyn Brown (West Ham) earlier asked if the Attorney General was “ashamed” that the Government had been found in contempt — a remark that led Solicitor General Robert Buckland to gesture towards Speaker John Bercow and shake his head.
Mr Bercow intervened in the debate to say: “The previous exchanges were entirely orderly and I would have ruled otherwise if they were not, that is the position which frankly the Solicitor General ought to take to heart and upon which he might usefully reflect.
“I will be the arbiter of what is orderly, not the honourable gentleman.”
