Michael Gove has stoked rumours parliament’s Easter recess could be cancelled for MPs, with time running out to put in place crucial legislation before the UK leaves the EU.
The environment secretary said on Wednesday that Tory MPs had been warned that the break in April – currently set to last almost three weeks – could be scrapped.
Asked by the Commons’ environment, food and rural affairs committee whether the government’s fishing bill could be expected before Easter recess, Gove replied: “The chief whip has reminded Conservative MPs that there may not be an Easter recess – it depends on, you know…”
“Events, dear boy,” Tory MP Neil Parish – who chairs the committee – helpfully cut in.
Gove’s words add to reports that the break, which is due to begin just six days after the UK is set to depart the bloc on March 29, could be cancelled as MPs scrabble to push through post-Brexit laws in time.
In February, Commons leader Andrea Leadsom refused to guarantee that the break would go ahead as planned, saying while she was “confident” secondary legislation would be passed by Brexit day, recesses are always “subject to the progress of business”.
“That remains the case for the time being,” she added.
If Easter recess is scrapped, it would be the second break from parliament for MPs cancelled this year.
February recess was cancelled in order in an attempt to plough on with securing an orderly exit.
But some MPs complained that Brexit proceedings were almost entirely absent from the week’s parliamentary diary, while others were still allowed to go on family holidays.