Just two press releases today, as the timetable for the Parliamentary debate (at least, the one in the Commons) is scheduled…
- Hedges case should never have happened
- PM ducks Cable challenge to debate Brexit
Hedges case should never have happened
Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine has welcomed news that Matthew Hedges, who was given a life sentence in the UAE for spying, has received a presidential pardon.
Following this morning’s announcement Ms Jardine said;
It is a great relief to see that Matthew will be returning to his family in the UK.
However, this should never have happened in the first place and the Conservative Government must be absolutely clear that we will not tolerate the abuse either of human rights or of the rule of law.
It is vital the UK Government continues its efforts to secure the release of all those unjustly detained abroad.
PM ducks Cable challenge to debate Brexit
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable has labelled Theresa May as “weak” for refusing to debate the “real opposition” to her Brexit deal.
Addressing the Prime Minister in the House of Commons today, Vince Cable said: “Now that the Prime Minister has decided to launch a public debate on her deal, should she not move beyond the comfort zone of debating with Brexit fellow travellers like the Leader of the Labour Party and engage with the much larger cross-party in favour of a People’s Vote, with the option of remaining in the European Union?”
The Liberal Democrat Leader added: “Will she not debate with the real opposition?” In response, the Prime Minister ducked the opportunity to accept the debate invitation.
Following the exchange, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said:
The public demand the full facts and figures on the cost of Brexit. They also deserve to hear all the options. A People’s Vote, including the option to remain, is the only real alternative. I will make that case anytime, anywhere.
Theresa May is weak for ducking my challenge today. TV debates should not be the gift of select politicians, not least two Brexiters who essentially agree with one another like May and Corbyn.
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6 Comments
Can we please have a statement about the role and status of Lord Richard Allan – a Liberal peer and former MP for Sheffield Hallam who appeared today before a select committee and is described as Facebook’s vice president of policy solutions. According to the BBC News : “Not great,” was the phrase he used to describe how Zuckerberg’s no-show at the hearing looked.
Could we also be told whether he was instrumental in arranging for Nick Clegg, formerly of Hallam, to be appointed to a senior Facebook post and what the salary is ?
As things stand, “Notf great” is how it seems to make the Lib Dems look.
David Raw,
No, please let us not have any more pointless statements about former Libdem members for Sheffield Hallam; and let us instead have a statement on proposals to ensure the fair taxation of advertising revenues earned by tech companies like Facebook in the UK and the protection of the private data of their customers.
While I’m not at all happy about the involvement of current and ex-LD politiicans on behalf of Facebook Joseph Bourke is right. Let’s concentrate on the real issues.
It is interesting that Vince Cable describe May and Corbyn as “Brexiteers”, whereas the true Brexiteers who complain about the proposed head-to-head debate describe them as “Remainers”. Perhaps a better word for them both is “Equivocators”.
So that’s alright then. The good name of the party and its public representatives is pointless.
@David Raw
Richard Allan has worked for Facebook for many years – since long before it became seriously controversial