"You have breached the Ministerial Code, and particularly the Sixth Principle of Public Life: that of Honesty."
Opposition parties have accused the PM of ‘misleading Parliament’, after Theresa May appeared to contradict her own Chancellor at PMQs.
New Treasury analysis revealed that the UK economy will be worse off under the PM’s Brexit deal compared to staying in the EU – a fact conceded by the Chancellor himself on Wednesday morning. But at PMQ’s Theresa May appeared to contradict this, saying it “does not show that we will be poorer than the status quo.”
Caroline Lucas has accused the PM of breaching the ministerial code, following the story on LFF. We publish her letter to Theresa May below.
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to make a complaint that you have breached the Ministerial Code, and particularly the Sixth Principle of Public Life, namely that of Honesty.
During PMQs today you said the following: “This analysis does not show that we will be poorer in the future than we are today, no it doesn’t. It shows we will be better off with this deal.”
The analysis published today does not show that – all the scenarios show us worse off. As the Chancellor said earlier this morning, “The economy will be slightly smaller in the Prime Minister’s preferred version of the future partnership.”
The Ministerial Code clearly states that “It is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity. Ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the Prime Minister;”
I assume that the Code applies to the Prime Minister and, given there is a clear conflict of interest, I would welcome clarity about how this matter will be taken forward and whether it will automatically be referred to the independent adviser on Ministers’ Interests.
I also hope that you will take the earliest opportunity to correct your statement in line with the principle that Parliament should be given accurate and truthful information.
Yours sincerely,
Caroline
WATCH: Caroline Lucas suggesting the PM misled Parliament
See also: EXCLUSIVE: Opposition parties accuse PM of ‘misleading Parliament’ over Brexit at #PMQs
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