Hilary Benn MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, responding to the Government’s defeat in the House of Commons on the EU referendum Bill, said:

“This is a humiliating defeat for David Cameron, with members from all sides of the House supporting Labour’s approach to purdah, which ensures fairness in the conduct of the referendum campaign while permitting normal government business to take place.

“The Government should never have rushed through its flawed plans to play fast and loose with the rules on the referendum.”

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