Inquiry decision and Consolidated Guidance 'this week'

In response to an Urgent Question on Monday 15 July from APPG Chair Ken Clarke, the Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington committed the government to setting out its decision on a judge-led inquiry 'later this week'. Mr Lidington, relying on behalf of the Prime Minister, added that the government would, at the same time, publish its response to Sir Adrian Fulford's review of the Consolidated Guidance.

Neither the precise date nor the form of the government announcement was clear from Mr Lidington's statement. The Speaker's suggestion that it should be the subject of an Oral Statement to the House elicited a non-commit all reply from the Minister.

Ken Clarke's Urgent Question reminded the government of commitments made over a year ago that the House would be told within 60 days of its view about a judge-led inquiry. So far that commitment has not been delivered. Members of the APPG pressed the Minister further, but we now await the announcement within the coming days.

Ken Clarke's Urgent Question, and the resulting debate, can be found here.