THE Tory Justice Secretary has said he’ll only resign if the UK Government breaks the law in a way that can’t be “fudged”.
Robert Buckland was once again put on the spot over Downing Street’s plans to break international law with the Internal Market Bill.
Earlier this week, he said he would only consider his position if the law was breached "in a way that I find unacceptable".
But he denied the proposals – which Tory ministers have admitted could break international legislation – represent an “egregious breach” after former attorney generals raised objections.
Speaking to Kay Burley on Sky News today, Buckland said: "If this country breaks the law and does so in a way that is clear and in a way that cannot be judged finely or fudged in any way – there are lots of debates about precisely what the law means in this area – I said that if the law is breached in a way that I find unacceptable, of course I will go.
"But I do not believe we are at that stage yet."
READ MORE: Robert Buckland: I'll only quit if UK breaks law in 'unacceptable way'
Questioned on the objections of former attorney generals Jeremy Wright and Geoffrey Cox to the Internal Market Bill, Buckland added: "I think my colleagues are absolutely right to sound the alarm about a flagrant and egregious breach of the rule of law – something that is beyond any doubt or argument – but I do not believe we are there."
Labour’s shadow justice secretary David Lammy condemned his Tory counterpart.
He tweeted: “You can’t ‘fudge’ breaking the law. You are treating the public with contempt. It is not one rule for the Tory cabinet and another for everyone else.”
SNP MP and former Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill added: “Fudged isn’t a legal defence in Scotland or England.”
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