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.
Labour MP David Lammy went on to accuse any of his colleagues who accepted the “bribe” as cowards:
More fool them. Socialists my arse. Cowards and facilitators. History will be brutal. https://t.co/SKHzSzw1Xv
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) January 31, 2019
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
