Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has unleashed a blistering warning over rumours that Keir Starmer’s Government could publish its long-awaited defence investment plan on Friday
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle unleashed a scathing attack on speculation that Keir Starmer could attempt to prevent MPs from scrutinising his defence spending proposals. In an extraordinary intervention, the Speaker addressed rumours that the long-awaited defence investment plan will be unveiled on Friday – when MPs are absent from Parliament to examine it.
Speaking from the Commons Chamber, Sir Lindsay declared: “There are strong rumours that the Government is going to produce its defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to the members of this House. I will say to Downing Street, Government’s responsibility in the ministerial code states major announcements should be made here.”
Sir Lindsay continued: “Once again, this may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday when members have been waiting so long.”
Opposition MPs responded with outrage to the rumoured timing, which falls on a non-sitting day, meaning parliamentarians would be unable to provide proper oversight.
The defence investment plan, which will outline the Government’s military spending strategy, was initially scheduled for publication last autumn but has faced repeated postponements, reports the Express.
Ministers have pledged it would emerge before the Nato summit on July 7, though have refused to provide a precise date.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard failed to dismiss the timing when pressed on its accuracy by shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge on Wednesday. Mr Cartlidge said: “There has been considerable speculation that the Dip may be published on Friday. This House is not sitting on Friday.
“Let’s be clear, with war on two fronts, this is not just another Government publication, but given the context, a vital moment for our country and for this Parliament.
“So, does the minister understand that it would be totally unacceptable to all colleagues if the defence investment plan was published on a day when the House is not sitting?”.
The minister replied that the defence investment plan will be released “before the Nato summit in only a few weeks’ time,” but refused to rule out Friday as the publication date.
Tan Dhesi, Labour MP and chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, also questioned whether the plan would be unveiled “in this chamber to enable proper parliamentary scrutiny”.
Mr Pollard answered: “I’m absolutely certain that he will have heard the commitments given by the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary. I look forward to the debates in this House on the defence investment plan, when it’s published.”