"The government has agreed to release potentially a large amount of information relating to how Peter Mandelson came to be appointed ambassador to Washington. The decision marks a win for Kemi Badenoch, who forced this decision by tabling a humble address motion in the Commons which the government does not have the confidence to fully oppose. Ironically, it was Keir Starmer himself who encouraged the use of the parliamentary weapon that Badenoch is using."
"Opposition parties can table motions for debate, but most of them are not binding. However, if they table a humble address (That an humble address be presented to His Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions to require the government to lay before this house all papers relating to etc), and it passes, the government has to compy."
The government agreed to release a potentially large volume of papers about Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington. Kemi Badenoch secured the decision by tabling a humble address motion in the Commons that the government could not fully oppose. A humble address, if passed, requires the government to lay specified papers before the House. Keir Starmer previously used a humble address in 2017 to force release of documents on Brexit's economic impact. Humble addresses have become more frequent since 2017. The current Conservative motion demands Cabinet Office due diligence, Mandelson's FCDO conflict-of-interest form, material provided to security vetting about Global Counsel interests, links to Russia, China and Jeffrey Epstein, meeting papers and minutes, and electronic communications.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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