Ministers say Brexit documents will not be released for up to three weeks

[LeftishBrit]

The government will take up to three weeks to release dozens of papers detailing the economic impact of Brexit despite a Commons motion demanding their immediate publication, ministers said on Tuesday....


But responding to an urgent question in the Commons from Labour, the junior Brexit minister, Steve Baker, said the request was impossible as the assessments did not exist as separate documents.

Labour has demanded for weeks the release of the papers, which detail the potential impact of Brexit across various parts of the economy, prompting speculation ministers are reluctant because of the gloomy assessments they contained.

A Labour opposition motion, passed unanimously last week, called for the papers to be released immediately to the Brexit select committee, which would in turn decide what sections could be published more widely.


https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/07/brexit-impact-studies-anna-soubry-commons-publication

[LeftishBrit]

1. There are two possible reasons for this delay...

One is that they don't want to admit that the relevant documentation simply doesn't exist, or is totally inadequate ('the dog ate my homework'). The other is they don't want to admit that it does exist, and shows that Brexit is likely to be economic suicide. Neither reflects well on the government, or on Brexit.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. The Budget will be on Nov 22nd - hiding the news in a mass release?

(Hiding either details of the Budget, or the Brexit evaluations)

[Denzil_DC]

3. Bercow to consider contempt allegations over Brexit impact assessments release

John Bercow is to consider contempt of Parliament allegations aimed at the Government over its handling of the release of Brexit impact assessments.

SNP Commons leader Pete Wishart confirmed he has written to the Speaker to formally make an allegation of contempt for "refusing to fully comply with a binding vote" of the House.

Mr Bercow said he has yet to read the letter, adding he will study it "most carefully".

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15646716.Bercow_to_consider_contempt_allegations_over_Brexit_impact_assessments_release/