Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 30 April 2001.
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am grateful for this opportunity to raise a point of order of which I have given you prior notice. You and hon. Members will have seen with concern the report in The Sunday Times yesterday which unequivocally states:
Sinn Fein MPs returned at the general election will be given offices and other facilities in Westminster even though they refused to swear allegiance to the Queen and take their seats in parliament.
The concession has been agreed by the Speaker, Michael Martin, after consultation with Tony Blair, according to a Westminster source.
Could you make it clear that this report in The Sunday Times is on a par with the other journalistic reports that we have come to expect from News International?