Context
Discusses concerns over recent political appointments to national security roles.
Question
What assessment has been made of the effect of the recent appointment of David Frost as National Security Adviser on his ability to carry out the full functions of that role? The concern is that no mechanism exists to prevent ill-judged political appointments, which could compromise national security.
Answer from Penny Mordaunt (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans Affairs)
I think that is very unfair to one of our colleagues, and I ask the hon. Gentleman to reflect on that. I know that following last night's events he tweeted that national security should always be placed ahead of politics, and he is right. On that basis, I urge him, as a fellow Portsmouth MP representing that great garrison and naval city, and as a shadow Defence Minister, to work to build a constructive relationship with the new National Security Adviser. If he actually met him, he might be pleasantly surprised. For the sake of our city and our armed forces, he owes them the opportunity to build that constructive relationship with the person who will lead the independent review.
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