Gotcha! A QC claims Theresa May is bang to rights under the Bribery Act 2010

Theresa May


Support us and go ad-free

Prime minister Theresa May could be in contravention of the Bribery Act 2010. A leading QC has argued just that. And an examination of the law appears to show that May could have committed a criminal offence by ‘bribing’ Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party MPs and, more recently, Labour MPs.

Contravention

Liberal Democrat Lord Thomas of Gresford QC is no legal lightweight. He’s held a number of high profile posts, including Shadow Attorney General 2003-2006 and 2007-2010. He’s a member of the House of Lords committee set up to examine the Bribery Act 2010.

In a letter to the Times published on 2 February 2019, Thomas accused May of committing bribery, referring to Section 1 and Section 2 of the Bribery Act 2010. Here’s his letter in full:

 

Fool’s gold

With regard to May’s apparent bribery of selected Labour MPs, Labour chair Ian Lavery said:

Any Labour MP seriously considering discussions with the PM should remember her record and that of her party going back generations. Quite simply, taking such a bribe would be fool’s gold.

Related articles

Read on...

Labour MP David Lammy went on to accuse any of his colleagues who accepted the “bribe” as cowards:

And Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell added:

The Conservatives introduced pork-barrel politics straight after the general election because they gave a couple of billion to the DUP just to secure their votes… I think it degrades our political system and to try and extend it in this way, I think it’s dangerous for our democracy.

Brexit vanity

In June 2017 May also ‘bribed‘ the DUP, despite its historical association with paramilitaries. She gave it £1bn as part of a ‘confidence and supply’ agreement, to ensure her government survives. A further £1bn was provided to the DUP in October 2018.

Brexit has become a vanity project to May. Indeed, it’s clear May will do anything to push through a Brexit deal, no matter how bad it is. She’ll do so regardless of the knock-on effects for people across the UK, as long as it ensures Conservative party unity.

Meanwhile Lord Thomas has made it clear that in his view the Attorney-General should now investigate May and her apparent contravention of the Bribery Act.

Featured image via Annika Haas – WikiMedia

We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support

The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.

The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.

So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.

Support us

Related articles


TAGS: