New clause 1 - Removal or suspension from
Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]
4:00 pm
Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann, UUP)
If the Government believe that there is no need for the Lord Chief Justice to have a veto, why did they enact a veto in 2002? The Minister has a duty to tell us why that was done and why the Government have changed their mind. If the new clause had been introduced by Opposition Members, the Minister would tell us that the principle was settled in 2002 and we should not be reconsidering it, so I must put the same point to him. I do so in a genuine spirit of inquiry to find out why the Government gave the Lord Chief Justice a veto in 2002 and why they are withdrawing it.