Dishonest: MP Jo Swinson argued for tribunal fees in Commons but insists she was against them all along

Jo Swinson MP

MSP Gil Paterson has criticised returned MP Jo Swinson for her u-turning on employment tribunal fees.

In 2013, Ms Swinson spent time passionately arguing in the House of Commons for the £1,200 charge for an employment tribunal.

At the time, the Liberal Democrat was the Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs.

However, the Supreme Court announced on July 27 scrapped the act declared it was “unlawful”.

The Scottish Government already committed to abolishing the fee when the administration of employment tribunals is devolved later in this parliament.

Welcoming the judgement, MSP Gil Paterson has asked if Ms Swinson will apologise for actively arguing for an unlawful policy.

Mr Paterson said: “Born again MP Jo Swinson vehemently defended the introduction of fees in 2013 in the House of Commons when she was a minister in the Tory-Libdem coalition.

“She is now saying she is against this policy, however she totally supported and implemented it, proving she is willing to deceive the public and her fellow MPs.

“Did she sell her soul to the Tory coalition? It would appear so.  

“Our new MP needs to show some respect for the electorate, who are not idiots and can see what she has done, and apologise.

“Either way, I welcome the scrapping of these extortionate fees — a policy like this would never have passed in the Scottish Parliament.

“All it served to do is prevent citizens accessing justice, many of whom would struggle to magic up £1,200 after being dismissed, perhaps unfairly, from their job.”

​ENDS

 NOTES TO REPORTERS

• Lib Dem who publicly defended 'unlawful' Tory tribunal fees in government now says they were terrible all along