A big thank you to Julian Huppert and Mike Crockart for everything they fought for today on Secret Courts. They’re still in the thick of committee stage on the bill with important votes still to come, but this report from Lib Dem Voice highlights how hard they are fighting:
Mike Crockart and I just called a vote to remove secret courts from the Justice and Security Bill, in line with Conference’s motion.
Despite highlighting in the debate that they supported closed proceedings in principle, Labour saw an opportunity to make mischief and eventually backed us. But due to DUP support for the Tories, we lost 10-9.
I’ll give a fuller update to everyone concerned soon. Suffice to say there will be more crucial votes to come on the Committee, and the Government has to move or the Bill will not pass as is.