Speeches by Costa.

“Who gave you that assurance?”

“Can you please tell us who gave you that assurance?”

“Thank you. That interview ended as follows: “If it didn’t come from Downing Street, where did it come from, and will you sack the person who is responsible?” You responded: “Well, I will absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against Ministers” and—this is the salient point—“I’ve always said that is the …”

“Thank you. Can I turn to another issue that you rightly regularly raised when you were Leader of the Opposition—namely, your frequent criticism of previous Administrations’ alleged cronyism and the way in which public appointments were undertaken? Only last month, Prime Minister, you profoundly regretted your own invol…”

“I understand that, but you have also regretted your own decision.”

“Thank you. Finally, on other public appointments, can I refer you to your recent decision as Prime Minister on appointments to the House of Lords? Prior to the general election, you promised to reduce political appointments to the Lords, and indeed stated as much in your party’s manifesto. Do you understand why the pub…”

“That wasn’t my question. My question was specifically about your comments prior to the general election and the decision that you made last week. But thank you very much, Prime Minister, for the answers that you have given.”

“Were you aware of this point of order, raised last week?”

“But X readers added context to clarify your comment. They said: “Important reminder that a £2 cap was introduced by the Tories in 2023. Labour have since risen this by 50%.” Prime Minister, which of the Nolan principles do you consider to have followed in publishing your X post?”

“Well, we will come back to that. I just wanted to confirm that Labour party leadership speculation is a purely party political matter in accordance with the code.”

“Do you feel this very strongly, Prime Minister?”

“Thank you. Paragraph 13 of the “Code of Conduct for Special Advisers” states that “briefing on purely party political matters must be handled by the Party machine.” For the purposes of this code, can you confirm that Labour party leadership speculation is a purely party political matter?”

“There is a separate code of conduct governing standards for special advisers—it is called the “Code of Conduct for Special Advisers”. You are, of course, familiar with this document, aren’t you?”

“Thank you. By necessity, I will refer to very recent examples to assist you, Prime Minister, in demonstrating to this Committee how you have acted in accordance with the Nolan principles or relevant codes. The first such example occurred on 11 December, only four days ago. You posted on your personal X social media acc…”

“Thank you. Paragraph 1.6.d of the “Ministerial Code” states that Ministers “should be as open as possible with Parliament and the public, refusing to provide information only when disclosure would not be in the public interest”. Are you satisfied that the responses that are currently being made are in compliance with t…”

“When Ministers fail to update the House and answer questions from MPs, which part of the “Ministerial Code” is being upheld?”

“Thank you, Chair. Good afternoon, Prime Minister; thank you for coming before the Committee. This year, as you know, marks 30 years since the establishment of the seven principles of public life, also known as the Nolan principles. You are familiar with those principles, which underpin the “Ministerial Code” for which …”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the reconsideration mechanism and the Parole Board Rules 2019. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Murrison. In 2018, the Parole Board decided to release John Worboys, the so-called “black cab rapist” who drugged and raped women between the years 2000 and …”

“I support the motion proposed by the Leader of the House and thank him for his kind words about me and other Members involved in this matter. The motion is, of course, about the report drafted by the Committee of Privileges. The task the House gave the Committee was, in essence, a simple one: to consider whether to rel…”

“I rise to present a petition from 241 residents of South Leicestershire who share my concern about the threat of gross overdevelopment in Lutterworth and its surrounding villages. I declare from the outset, as a proud constituency-based MP, that I live in the affected area. The petition highlights proposals such as the…”