Contempt threat over legal advice

The UK government risks being found in contempt of parliament if it fails to publish its full legal advice on the proposed Brexit deal, opposition parties say.

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer was asked to put his concerns in writing by Commons Speaker John Bercow after raising a point of order. Ministers have offered a summary of the advice, which includes an opinion on whether the UK can exit the Irish border backstop.

In another warning to the government, DUP MP Nigel Dodds backed Mr Starmer, saying his anger was “felt widely across all parties in this House”.