New changes to the way MPs correct the official record could put an end to false statements being made in Parliament.
The government has welcomed recommendations from the Procedure Committee and has committed to tabling a vote on the issue, which could put an end to the problem once and for all.
An official response notes that the lack of a formal mechanism for members of the Official Opposition and backbench MPs means there is “no clear way” of identifying when false information has been (either knowingly or unknowingly) shared by a politician.
Changing the system would “improve clarity and transparency of corrections” and make them more visible to the public.
Responding to the announcement, Andrew Dudfield, Interim CEO at Full Fact, said, “It’s reassuring that the Government has welcomed the Procedure Committee’s conclusion that all MPs should be able to correct the record when they make a mistake.
“When the time comes to vote on these changes, MPs must take this opportunity to strengthen our democracy and start rebuilding our trust in politics.
“But the work can’t stop there. Even if this motion is passed, we need additional measures that hold MPs to account when they refuse to correct false or misleading claims, whether they were made in or outside Parliament, otherwise public trust in politics will continue to be corroded.
“More than 50,000 Full Fact supporters have backed our campaign to fix Parliament’s broken corrections system. Passing this motion is the first of many steps that MPs must now take to get their house in order”.
