Rees-mogg rejects bid for return of MPS to Commons

PARLIAMENT remains on course to return on April 21 despite demands for an emergency recall.

Sir Keir Starmer, Labour’s new leader, has been joined by the SNP’S Ian Blackford, Caroline Lucas of the Greens, Liberal Democrat acting leader Ed Davey and others in calling for an urgent recall of MPS to Westminster due to the virus pandemic.

Mr Starmer wrote a letter to Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-mogg, stating that there was “no substitute for parliamentary scrutiny” particularly “at this time of national crisis”.

He said: “The best decisions are those that are challenged and subject to scrutiny. And by that process issues can be resolved, mistakes quickly rectified and individual concerns addressed.

“That will help save lives and protect our country. But if Parliament is not sitting or functioning effectively that cannot happen.”

SNP Westminster chief Mr Blackford backed the call, urging Westminster leaders to hold a virtual “question time” using a similar model to the video questions session with Nicola Sturgeon in the Scottish Parliament.

However a spokesman for Mr Rees-mogg has dismissed their ideas, saying: “Parliament will return on April 21 to fulfil its essential constitutional functions of conducting scrutiny, authorising spending and making laws.

“In these unprecedented times, technological solutions have already been implemented for select committees and options are being prepared for the Speaker, the Government and other parties to consider next week.

“It is important that we have a comprehensive solution that does not inadvertently exclude any members. The Leader of the House of Commons will respond to the Leader of the Opposition’s letter in the usual way.”