Pro-Remain Labour MP reveals disappearance of SECOND EU scrutiny body as she joins Reform to condemn axing of key committee

Labour today announced that it would be scrapping the European Scrutiny Committee as it works to 'reset' its relationship with Brussels.

The committee was set up in 1973 and has worked to assess the impact of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak Brexit deals.

Speaking exclusively to Christopher Hope, the MP said: "I actually agree with the concerns that Mark Francois and indeed Richard Tice were raising in the chamber, that it's right that Parliament has a role in the scrutiny of what happens with our relationship with Europe.

Stella Creasy on Labour's axing of the European Scrutiny Committee

"I think it's understandable that people are asking, where is this conversation going to happen? And I'd like to be part of that conversation.

"I think there's a really strong story to tell about why we need to act. I look at all the paperwork that's stopping food coming across the border.

"I look at the problems going to come with people traveling for their holidays. I can see the opportunities that come from a trade deal. I guess it is a concern because there's so much else going on in Parliament.

"There's a huge amount of work coming through the new King's speech as to whether other committees will have the time to truly look at these things.

"And of course, then we've got the TCA review coming up in the next 18 months as well. So I can understand the concern. And I think it's right that we ask the question about where is this going to happen?

"She also highlighted the loss of a second EU scrutiny body, she continued: "I should also say that the European Statutory Instruments Committee also seems to have disappeared, and that was looking at law that was taken from Europe and whether it was being transposed to the UK.

"Lots of questions that we might disagree on, but we can share a concern for scrutiny and democratic accountability.

The Labour MP added: "I think it's about what our constituents are going to ask us. I get a lot of constituents coming to me, completely bewildered by all the paperwork that hard Brexit is created for them, wanting to know what we're going to do about it, and obviously having dedicated committees where those issues can be looked at.

"Let's be honest, some of it can be quite technical and a little bit dull. Those are really important. And actually I think ministers do respect and understand that because of course there's a whole load of expertise that goes behind it. So I think obviously this decision has only been announced in the last 24 hours.

"There are lots of questions arising from it. We can disagree on the outcomes, but we can all agree that it's an important matter to resolve."

Brexiteer Bill Cash told GB NEws he welcomed Stella Creasey's intervention.