THE Tory Government has been branded “delusional” after the UK Policing Minister claimed international treaties are not bound by the “letter of the law”.
Speaking ahead of a Commons vote on the much derided Internal Market Bill, Kit Malthouse revealed he will vote for the proposals even if they break international legislation.
That admission was described as “gobsmacking” by Ian Blackford, who dubbed the Tory administration a “shower of charlatans”.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson wants to put Scotland’s NHS up for sale, SNP warn
Malthouse, speaking to BBC Breakfast, said: "I'll be voting for the bill because I don't believe that if that circumstance should arise, where food is prevented from moving from GB to Northern Ireland, that the Prime Minister has any choice but to take powers to allow Tesco to stock the shelves in Belfast."
Asked if he would do so even if it broke international law, the Tory MP stated: "I will be voting for the bill this afternoon, yes."
The Policing Minister added: “International treaties are as much about the spirit and the intent as they are about the letter of the law.
“No-one contemplated that this situation would occur and I’ve yet to hear a compelling solution … to that practical issue that we’re faced with that hopefully will never occur, but may occur in the future, and why we shouldn’t have an insurance policy for that.”
“International treaties are as much about the spirit and the intent as they are about the letter of the law, and no one contemplated that this situation would occur... we need to be able to protect the integrity of the United Kingdom.” @kitmalthouse pic.twitter.com/E20wGSmzZF
— Global Vision (@GlobalVision_UK) September 14, 2020
READ MORE: David Cameron becomes fifth former PM to condemn Boris Johnson's Brexit plans
An astonished Blackford responded on Twitter.
He wrote: “Gobsmacking and delusional. It is a matter of law, no ifs or buts. What a shower of charlatans this Government is. They have utterly trashed their reputation internationally. They cannot be trusted and as such are not fit to lead.”
Gobsmacking and delusional. It is a matter of law, no iffs or buts. What a shower of charlatans this Government is. They have utterly trashed their reputation internationally. They cannot be trusted and as such are not fit to lead. https://t.co/mkKfEo8fTv
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) September 14, 2020
The Internal Market Bill, which has its second reading today, is facing a signicant backlash from Tory MPs, with former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox. Five former Prime Minister’s have also condemned the proposals, with David Cameron raising objections earlier today.
The SNP, along with the LibDems, Plaid Cymru, SDLP, Greens and Alliance Party, have tabled a wrecking amendment to the legislation which, if backed by enough MPs, would see it completely rejected.
The SNP have warned the legislation would represent a power grab on Holyrood and could lead to the “kind of creeping privatisation already seen” in the NHS south of the Border.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel