Breaking
Intelligence committee hits back at No 10 over Russia report delay claims
Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street in an archive picture. Photograph: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire. - Credit: PA
There was 'no reason' for the delay in the publication of the Intelligence and Security Committee's report on Russia, a member of the committee has said.
Labour MP Kevan Jones told reporters as the report was released that claims by the prime minister it required six weeks to get his confirmation for the report were 'categorically not true'.
'As has been widely reported, the prime minister failed to provide his confirmation that this report could be published in the standard ten working days.
'And as a result the House rose for the general election before the report could be published.
'There was no reason for this delay'.
You may also want to watch:
He also said that claims by Number 10 the report needed to be further circulated for comment in government were 'not true'.
'It had already been through the processes'.
Most Read
- 1 The deep roots of Labour's red wall decline
- 2 Labour needs more positivity, more patriotism, more policy... and less wokery
- 3 Andy Burnham urges UK to 'embrace' Brexit as 'new reality'
- 4 A view from inside the Heathrow petri dish
- 5 MANDRAKE: Boris Johnson's 'daughter' speaks out
- 6 Former Tory speaker admits voting Labour after labeling Boris Johnson a 'liar'
- 7 Dominic Raab 'chickened out' of a no-deal Brexit, Michel Barnier says
- 8 The truth about 'buy British'
- 9 Seven reasons Scotland should stay in the Union
- 10 Liz Truss accused of freeports 'catastrophic blunder' following Brexit deals
Jones added that 'everybody who needed to see the report in government had done so, it was now waiting for the prime minister to agree the report which was sent to him on 17th October'.
He said the prime minister 'finally provided confirmation the day after the election, having taken a record time in doing so'.
The MP pointed out it took seven months after that date, because the committee had not been formed.
Lisa Nandy MP, shadow foreign secretary, said it was 'extraordinary' such a political decision had been taken.
She said: 'It is extraordinary that the prime minister, Boris Johnson, took the political decision last October ahead of the general election to block the publication of this important report that systematically goes through the threat Russia poses to the UK's national security.
'The report is very clear that the government has underestimated the response required to Russia and it is imperative we learn the lessons from the mistakes that have been made.
'The Labour Party calls on the government to study the conclusions of the report carefully and take the necessary steps to keep our country safe.'
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
