First off, I'm happy to note that the Independent has restored the capability to remove those infuriating huge videos they insist on plastering over every single damn story.
MPs ordered former Vote Leave chief Dominic Cummings to give evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee before June 20, in what is thought to be the first motion of its kind in parliament since 1920.
That's an odd sort of committee to answer questions on Brexit, but meh, whatever.
Conservative MP Damian Collins, who chairs the committee, said: "We have a unique problem in requiring Dominic Cummings to come and give evidence to us and I do not believe, and the members of my committee do not believe, that that is an acceptable state of affairs. These are incredibly serious matters. There's a certain irony that someone who is the communications director of Vote Leave, who ran a successful campaign to seek to restore powers to parliament, seems to hold that institution himself in such contempt. His decision not to come, whatever he says, is one of his own making, it's a deliberate attempt to deny parliament its right to question witnesses on matters of importance."
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom supported the motion, while influential Conservative backbencher Sarah Wollaston labelled Mr Cummings' behaviour a "disgrace". The row stems from the Facebook data scandal, where political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica was accused of misusing private information to target voters. The firm denies wrongdoing.
If Andrea "batshit crazy" Leadsom is agreeing with Hillary Benn, then things are worse than I thought.
In theory, parliament has powers to fine people or even imprison them but the powers are untested in recent times. However this row could also set an interesting precedent as the committee has unsuccessfully tried to compel Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg to give evidence.
Yeah but the Zuckerbot is an American citizen so I don't see how he could ever be "compelled" by the British parliament to do anything.
Originally shared by Jenny Winder
#Brexit: Vote Leave chief Dominic Cummings ordered to appear before MPs within days over data row
MPs unanimously back motion urging him to come to parliament, in first vote of its kind since 1920
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-vote-leave-data-breach-cambridge-analytica-dominic-cummings-a8387816.html
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