SQE1 sample questions

Question 103

A Member of Parliament (MP) for the party in opposition makes a statement at a parliamentary select committee. In the statement he refers to evidence given to him by an undercover journalist which is critical of the working practices of a large company, which he names. The MP’s statement is reported widely in the press. The company’s response is that the journalist has wholly misrepresented its working practices. As a consequence, the company wants to bring defamation proceedings against the MP and the journalist.

The MP believes that he is protected from such a claim by parliamentary privilege. He contacts the Privileges Committee to clarify the position.

Is the MP protected by parliamentary privilege for the statement he made at the parliamentary select committee?

A. No, parliamentary privilege only covers statements made by MPs of the party in government.

B. No, parliamentary privilege only covers statements made in parliamentary select committees when national security issues are being discussed.

C. No, parliamentary privilege only covers statements made by ministers in response to specific questions in the House of Commons chamber.

D. Yes, parliamentary privilege covers all proceedings in Parliament.

E. Yes, parliamentary privilege covers any statement made by an MP which arises from his work in Parliament, regardless of the setting.


D - Yes, parliamentary privilege covers all proceedings in Parliament.

Candidates who answered correctly: 59%


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