The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 12 April 2022.
The police have now completely shredded Boris Johnson’s claims that no laws were broken in No 10. He cannot be trusted and cannot continue as Prime Minister.
No other leader in any other organisation would be allowed to continue after law-breaking on this scale.
The comments made by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, on 12 April 2022.
Boris Johnson must resign. He broke the law and repeatedly lied to Parliament about it. The basic values of integrity and decency – essential to the proper working of any parliamentary democracy – demand that he go.
And he should take his out of touch chancellor with him.
The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 12 April 2022.
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public.
They must both resign.
The Conservatives are totally unfit to govern. Britain deserves better.
The comments made by Stuart Andrew, the Housing Minister, on 12 April 2022.
Up and down the country, street names often form a key part of an area’s history, cherished by the local community for the memories they hold and the places they represent.
These proposals will strengthen local democracy by ensuring that councils in England get agreement from local residents in advance of any street name changes.
The statement made by Crispin Blunt on 11 April 2022 and withdrawn on 12 April 2022.
I am utterly appalled and distraught at the dreadful miscarriage of justice that has befallen my friend and colleague Imran Ahmad Khan, MP for Wakefield since December 2019. His conviction today is nothing short of an international scandal, with dreadful wider implications for millions of LGBT+ Muslims around the world.
I sat through some of the trial. The conduct of this case relied on lazy tropes about LGBT+ people that we might have thought we had put behind us decades ago.
As a former minister, I was prepared to testify about the truly extraordinary sequence of events that has resulted in Imran being put through this nightmare start to his justice career.
I hope for the return of Imran Ahmad Khan to the public service which has exemplified his life to date. Any other outcome will be a stain on our reputation for justice, and an appalling own goal by Britain as we try to take a lead in reversing the Victorian era prejudice that still disfigures too much of the global statute book.
The statement made by Crispin Blunt, the Conservative MP for Reigate, on 12 April 2022.
On reflection I have decided to retract my statement defending Imran Ahmad Khan. I am sorry that my defence of him has been a cause of significant upset and concern not least to victims of sexual offences. It was not my intention to do this.
To be clear I do not condone any form of abuse and I strongly believe in the independence and integrity of the justice system.
It is a particularly difficult time for LGBT+ rights across the world and my statement risks distracting the APPG for Global LGBT+ Rights from its important purpose. I have today offered the officers my resignation so a new chair can be found to continue the work of the group with full force.
The statement made by Vicky Ford, the Minister for Africa, on 11 April 2022.
Over the past two days, I’ve seen the breadth of the partnership between the UK and Zambia. Amongst many areas, our governments are working together to improve the lives of those in poverty and, increasing the opportunities for both Zambian and UK companies to invest in Zambia’s growing economy.
Zambia’s long history of supporting peace and democracy continues today. The resounding vote for respect of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law that millions of Zambians made last year has demonstrated yet again, their country’s position as a beacon of peace and democracy in the region and beyond. I’m committed to our 2 nations, the UK and Zambia, continuing to work together on protecting and promoting our shared values in the international sphere.
Through the launch of British International Investment here in Zambia, we have sent a strong message of the UK government’s commitment to building a stronger, more diversified Zambian economy. Equally, it has been my pleasure to learn more about the steps being taken by the Zambian government to deliver free education to all, and discuss how the UK continues to actively support better futures for all Zambian children.
The comments made by George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, on 12 April 2022.
Our programme of work has protected over 314,000 properties, defending people, communities, and businesses from flooding and coastal erosion. We know that there is still more to do, so we are doubling our investment with a record £5.2 billion over the next six years.
The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 11 April 2022.
Today I am thinking of Sir David Amess, of the dedicated public servant that he was.
A champion of Southend and of his constituents. My heart goes out to David’s wife and children, and all those who knew him.
Threats to our democracy will never prevail.
The comments made by Jo Churchill, the Environment Minister, on 11 April 2022.
When it comes to fly-tipping, enough is enough. These appalling incidents cost us £392 million a year and it is time to put a stop to them.
I want to make sure that recycling and the correct disposal of rubbish is free, accessible and easy for householders. No one should be tempted to fly tip or turn to waste criminals and rogue operators.
Furthermore, the funding that we have announced for Local Authorities today will help them trial innovative new projects to put a stop to fly tipping. We will learn from the successes – and replicate them.