Ministers ‘will spell out their position’

MINISTERS HAVE been forced to concede they will lay out the Government’s political and legal position on the proposed withdrawal agreement when Brexit negotiations have concluded.

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said the Government would make available its position statement to all MPs ahead of the meaningful vote on any deal.

His remarks yesterday came before MPs approved a Labour motion calling for the publication of any legal advice in full – including that provided by the Attorney General – on the proposed withdrawal agreement on the terms of the UK’s departure.

However, Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer denied Labour was calling for draft advice, and told the Commons: “It’s the final advice, it’s available to every MP and it’s available at the point that the final proposed withdrawal agreement that’s been agreed with the EU is put to this House, for this House to consider it.”

Conservative former Attorney General Dominic Grieve said publishing the legal advice would be a mistake, despite thinking the Government appeared to be setting a “quite disgraceful timetable” to “bulldoze” MPs into supporting the deal without enough information.

He said: “There is a big difference between a break clause and a review clause as any lawyer will know, and that difference is going to be of the utmost importance.”

DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said the public should know the “full implications”.