Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from Gerald Kaufman (Labour) in the House of Commons on Monday, 8 December 2008. It occurred during Debate on Speaker's Committee on the Search of Offices on the Parliamentary Estate.


Speaker's Committee on the Search of Offices on the Parliamentary Estate

No, I will not give way, as I have only two minutes left. Those who have always hated the idea of the current Speaker occupying the Chair of this House have abused this situation to seek further to undermine him. What I say to the House of Commons is this: the Tory party has created a bogus controversy about the abuse of privileges that do not exist and the need for a warrant that is not required. We are wasting this afternoon when it could have been used for this House to debate serious and relevant issues about which our constituents care deeply. They do not care in the slightest—[Interruption.] These interruptions show what the Tories believe about whistleblowing and free speech. They do not care about free speech. They want to divert the electorate's attention from the real issues to this bogus issue of what the hon. Member for Ashford did or did not do, about which, frankly, our constituents do not give a damn.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
485 c276 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
House of Commons Powers of entry Police Powers Members Metropolitan Police Parliamentary privilege Offices Right of search Speaker Speaker's Committee on the Search of Offices on the Parliamentary Estate Department of Chamber and Committee Services Serjeant at Arms Directorate Green, Damian
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk