Blog: 22/07/2022 - Helen McGrath, Head of Public Affairs

Lack of sanctions? Toothless tiger?! It’s not only a compliance issue for local government. Select Committees face the need to adopt coercive strategies due to the lack of specific criminal offence for MP’s failing to attend to give evidence. I can’t imagine in the current climate, that parliamentarians would readily invite the judiciary to essentially ‘police’ what goes on within its own walls. Certainly not at a time when the legal profession has been under attack for maintaining the rule of law; certainly not at a time when ethics advisers are thin on the ground. Contempt of Parliament of course does exist. Powers under it though are generally considered weak. Imprisonment or fines have long since disappeared. You would need to go back to 1880 and 1666 respectively to see it in action.  

Failure to attend is fortunately rare. However recently, we have not one but two examples. Priti Patel did not attend the Home Affairs Committee to speak on the Rwanda deportation policy due to, quote, ‘recent changes in government’. This week, Dominic Raab declined to appear before the joint committee on Human Rights which prompted a letter from MP’s asking him to reconsider his decision. As Joanna Cherry QC, MP for Edinburgh South-West put it, “accountability to parliament should take priority”; (note the fact that Cherry is a lawyer).   

I must admit, when the news broke that the PM was stepping down, my immediate thought was of the Bill of Rights Bill. Such has been the universal outcry within our sector, it must surely too be contentious within parliament itself. Perhaps, then, depending upon who wins the leadership contest and who is appointed into the Cabinet, there might be some hope for it quietly going away or being diluted substantively.

I felt quite smug therefore, when I read Joshua Rozenberg’s blog on the subject where he states ‘As far as I know, none of the current Conservative leadership candidates regards human rights reform as an immediate priority’ posing the question; ‘What would be the point of Raab answering questions next week about a bill that may not even receive a second reading in the Commons?’ – fingers crossed!  

Best wishes  

Helen McGrath 

Head of Public Affairs 

Helen@llg.org.uk