Of course I agree with that, and I wanted to make that point as best I could. It is quite a weak argument to say that, because certain people who have been in authoritative positions make a certain argument, that it is therefore a clincher in argumentation. Actually, the point put by my right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest East was far more powerful, frankly. He was adducing a specific example. If it is laid down in statute that a covert agent cannot take a particular action, that is an invitation to terrorist or gangster groups to have an initiation ceremony based precisely on what is forbidden by Parliament. I thought that that was a completely unanswerable argument.
Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Edward Leigh
(Conservative)
in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 27 January 2021.
It occurred during Debate on bills on Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill.
About this proceeding contribution
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688 c448 Session
2019-21Chamber / Committee
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