Rebel MPs order Boris Johnson’s aides to hand over secret messages — as Dominic Grieve claims he was told Parliament shutdown ‘smacked of scandal’
REBEL MPs last night ordered Boris Johnson’s aides to hand over secret messages they claim prove Parliament was shut down to force through Brexit.
The PM has furiously denied the claim and says Westminster was ‘prorogued’ so he can set out his domestic plan.
But in a blistering attack on No10, sacked Tory Dominic Grieve said public officials had told him the shutdown “smacked of scandal”.
His motion to order nine No10 aides – including Dominic Cummings – to hand over their private emails and texts scraped through by 311 votes to 302.
It orders No10 to hand over the messages and secret No Deal plans, known as Operation Yellowhammer, by 11pm on Wednesday night.
The motion even asks for any messages, whether formal or informal, on the applications WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Facebook messenger.
'HOODWINKING' THE PUBLIC
But Downing Street immediately hinted they could defy the order, branding it “disproportionate and unprecedented”.
In a fiery Commons clash, Mr Grieve tore into No10 claims they are sending MPs packing to “reset” Parliament because there is a new PM.
The arch-Remainer raged: “There is available plenty of evidence that what happened was there was a concerted get-together by the Government to try to ensure that this House was prevented from taking action to stop a No Deal Brexit.”
He warned that ministers must not “hoodwink” the public about why Parliament is being closed. But seething Tory MP Owen Paterson accused the rebel MPs of a “witch hunt” against aides.
'FISHING EXPEDITION'
While Cabinet minister and No Deal boss Michael Gove lashed the move as a “fishing expedition”.
He said it “drives a coach and horses” through privacy rights and would probably flout the European Convention on Human Rights.
But with Parliament shut down for the next five weeks, it is unclear what MPs will do if No10 simply decides to ignore the order.
A Government spokesman said: “The Government is committed to sharing appropriate information with Parliament, but we must balance this obligation with the broader public interest, our legal duties and the assurance that ministers can receive full and frank advice that will remain confidential.
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“The scope of the information requested in the Humble Address is disproportionate and unprecedented.
“We will consider the implications of this vote and respond in due course.”
A No10 source said: “Under no circumstances will No10 staff comply with Grieve’s demands regardless of any votes in Parliament.”
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