Topical Questions

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities regarding UK Security Vetting's recommendation against granting vetting to Peter Mandelson and the decision by the Foreign Office to grant it.

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As modern warfare evolves, with ballistic and hypersonic missiles capable of overwhelming traditional air defence systems, will the Foreign Secretary set out specific steps taken by the Foreign Office in coordination with the Ministry of Defence to prepare for these threats?

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Given Sir Olly Robbins' account, why did the Foreign Secretary lose confidence in him last week? Is it true that the Prime Minister passed the buck for his own failures and appalling judgment?

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Has she now checked whether the concerns raised during Peter Mandelson's security vetting related to his business links with Russia and China? Has she asked for mitigations mentioned by Sir Olly Robbins this morning?

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Despite the Government's recognition of a Palestinian state, with 56 new illegal west bank settlements approved by Israel in 2025 and ongoing violence, what can the UK do to pressure, sanction and stop this annexation and violence?

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This morning the Foreign Affairs Committee learned about pressure put by No. 10 on FCDO to hire Matthew Doyle as ambassador. Does the Foreign Secretary see a pattern here? Was she informed about this proposal from No. 10? Will she commit to investigating and publishing records held by FCDO regarding this appointment?

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The UK attended the third international conference on Sudan's situation last week. What did the conference say about establishing humanitarian corridors to ensure aid delivery?

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The Foreign Secretary has paid tribute to Sir Olly Robbins multiple times. Can I ask what grounds led to his dismissal and if he had the opportunity to defend himself?

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My constituents are concerned about the cost of living due to issues with Iran. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that fuels and fertilisers can reach market without price increases?

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Many constituents are concerned about Netanyahu's actions in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank. Will this country join the EU in taking a tougher line against Israel?

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In my constituency, I met a young woman who lost 14 family members to fighting in Somaliland. She is wary of using the e-visa system due to privacy concerns. Will the Minister raise these issues with Somali counterparts?

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Last week marked three years since Sudan's ongoing civil war began. What are the Government doing to combat obstruction of aid delivery by Rapid Support Forces and other warring factions?

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Businesses in my constituency including trailer manufacturer Indespension are labouring under a mountain of repetitive, costly and unnecessary paperwork because the last Government failed to negotiate a regime for mutual recognition of conformity assessments. What progress has the Foreign Secretary made, with the Paymaster General, in removing the Brexit barriers to trade that are holding back British businesses abroad?

Question

Ministers will be aware that Ashab al-Yamin has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks across north-west London on Jewish synagogues, places of worship, businesses and homes. That is a group that takes its orders directly from Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. What action have Ministers taken to call in the diplomats from Iran and expel them, because they are instructing terrorist attacks on our citizens?

Question

Constituents involved in my local Rotary club have contacted me about the global polio eradication programme. I am reliably advised that Ministers want to concentrate resources for the best impact. Can the Minister reassure my constituents that the UK remains determined to protect the important gains made in polio eradication for the future?

Question

Last month, the Rycroft review confirmed that the UK faces persistent and strategic interference from hostile states and warned that our defences against information warfare are “worryingly weak”. With important elections across the country in two weeks' time, including in my Stockport council area, what steps are the Government taking, working with our allies, to prevent disinformation from overseas aimed at those participating in UK elections?

Question

On 1 January, Israel revoked the licences of 37 international non-governmental organisations working in the occupied west bank and Gaza. The United Nations human rights chief called the suspensions “outrageous” and said that they made an already intolerable situation even worse for the people of Gaza. What is the Minister doing to ensure that the Israeli Government allow lifesaving aid to enter Gaza, reverse the suspensions of the licences and do not politicise or weaponise aid and humanitarian relief?

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Would the UK consider a state to be a democracy and would it continue normal diplomatic relations with that state were it to introduce a differential death penalty based on ethnicity?

Question

May I associate myself with the comments of the Foreign Secretary with regard to the Foreign Office and the dedication and hard work of its officials? At a time like this, we are particularly in need of a Foreign Office that is absolutely at the top of its game, not just in this country but across the world. However, the Foreign Affairs Committee's concerns remain about security more than anything else, and the impact of employing Peter Mandelson causes us great concern. During his time as the ambassador to the United States, he was given access to top secret information. How can we protect our country against his leaking any of that, given his record?

Question

I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Point 13 of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan negotiated by the United States is very clear that Hamas must disarm, dismantle their terrorist infrastructure and play no role in Gaza’s future. The Government have expressed support for that and they are right to do so, yet Hamas have been equally clear that they are not going to disarm, and every indication is that they are doing the reverse. What steps will the Government take to ensure that the removal of Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza become a reality?

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On Sudan and the failing international response, will the Foreign Secretary consider further economic measures and sanctions, including against the nationals of the countries that support the belligerents? Will she encourage the Prime Minister to prioritise Sudan in his international engagements so he can show the leadership that she has shown?

Question

Following the Minister’s answer to Question 1 on illicit finances, we still do not have publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership in the overseas territories, nearly 10 years after this House passed the necessary legislation and made it clear that they must be set up. When will the Government put their foot down, say that there has been enough delay and obfuscation, and fully open up these registers to proper scrutiny now?

Question

I have always been assured by both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary that the case of my constituent, Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been arbitrarily detained in India for eight and a half years, would continue to be raised at all levels, but I understand that the Foreign Secretary met her counterpart Jaishankar on two occasions recently and was unable to do so. Can I have the Foreign Secretary’s assurance that she remains committed to raising Jagtar’s case and is actively working to secure his release?

Question

Last month, the United Nations General Assembly voted to demand that countries including the United Kingdom pay reparations for slavery. The Foreign Secretary instructed our ambassador to abstain and issued a statement that failed to mention the UK's role in eradicating slavery. Will the UK unequivocally state it will never pay reparations?

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Will the Government expand sanctions on Israeli officials empowering settler violence against Palestinians, beyond diplomatic pressure?

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Can the Foreign Secretary detail diplomatic, economic, and political measures being used to end violence in Sudan, particularly with allies like the UAE?

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Can the Foreign Secretary guarantee that there is nothing in the reset negotiations or rumoured Bill incompatible with section 38 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act?

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Does the Foreign Secretary accept that this House was misled about the circumstances of Mandelson's security vetting, even if that misleading was inadvertent?

Question

In the UK, we pride ourselves on allowing people to practise their religion freely. Can the Minister update the House on what he is doing with any new regime in Iran to protect the rights of Christians to worship openly there?