Issued: 1500hrs 24th September 2002 IMMEDIATE
Burges Salmon, solicitors, have written to the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw enclosing Counsel's Opinion on instructions of Messrs Norris McWhirter CBE, John Gouriet, Roy Faiers and Robin de Crittenden, requesting that HM Government withdraw from the Treaty of Nice.
They state that Parliament contravened the Constitution by entering into this Treaty, that it was therefore unlawful to ratify the treaty on 25th July 2002 and Parliament exceeded its powers by so doing.
This is the first shot in what is expected to be the most important constitutional case since 1688. The aim is to determine the limits of Parliament's power and re-establish the rule of law on the fundamental principles that no one is above the law and parliamentarians are sworn to defend and uphold the sovereignty of the Crown and the people. ENDS
Contact: John Gouriet on 01984 656 256 or 07831 342 909
Norris McWhirter on 0124 975 0354
Patron: The Duke of Wellington KG LVO OBE MC DL
Vice Presidents: The Lord Morris Norris McWhirter CBE Edward Fox Chairman:
John Gouriet
Directors: John Bingley Robin de Crittenden Roy Faiers John Mellor OBE Treasurer:
C.J.K. Arkell FTCA
