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  • Dan Carden – 2022 Parliamentary Question on LGBTQ+ Rights at the Qatar World Cup

    Dan Carden – 2022 Parliamentary Question on LGBTQ+ Rights at the Qatar World Cup

    The parliamentary question asked by Dan Carden, the Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, in the House of Commons on 13 December 2022.

    Dan Carden (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)

    What diplomatic steps his Department is taking to promote LGBTQ+ rights during the men’s World cup in Qatar.

    The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (James Cleverly)

    Ministers and senior officials have raised the UK’s position with regard to LGBT+ football fans and the status of those fans in Qatar. I raise these issues regularly in my direct engagement with the Qatari authorities, and on my recent visit to Qatar it was again restated in the conversation between myself and my opposite number in the Foreign Ministry.

    Dan Carden

    I am grateful to the Foreign Secretary. Qatar has brought into focus the denial of people’s basic rights over their sexuality and gender. Around 70 countries still criminalise homosexuality, with 10 or more still using the death penalty. We are seeing a regression for LGBT rights in many parts of the world. Last week in Russia, Putin criminalised any act of public mention of same-sex relationships. In parts of eastern Europe, LGBT people are facing aggression, with violence in Bulgaria, new anti-LGBT laws in Hungary and so-called LGBT ideology-free zones continuing to operate in Poland. What is the Foreign Secretary doing to ensure that we do not see a pink curtain descend across Europe?

    James Cleverly

    The hon. Gentleman raises incredibly important points. My position on the importance of promoting and defending the rights of LGBTQ+ people is well known, and that absolutely reflects the British Government’s position. We do not shy away from raising these issues in the conversations we have with those relevant countries where there are issues and where we are seeing a slip backwards, and I can commit to him and the House that we will continue to do so.

    Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)

    A proportion of the gay and lesbian community in Qatar will statistically also be part of the Christian minority, and Qatar has one of the worst records in the world for persecution of Christians. What is the Foreign Secretary going to do about that?

    James Cleverly

    Again, the British Government have a long-standing commitment to the protection of freedom of religion or belief, and we report on it regularly. The Prime Minister has in the past appointed a special envoy for this issue. My ministerial friend Lord Ahmad in the other place champions it when he has conversations in the region. The protection of minorities is an issue that is brought up regularly in the conversations that I have in the region.

  • Henry Smith – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the British Indian Ocean Territory

    Henry Smith – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the British Indian Ocean Territory

    The parliamentary question asked by Henry Smith, the Conservative MP for Crawley, in the House of Commons on 13 December 2022.

    Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)

    What recent progress he has made on negotiations on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

    The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (James Cleverly)

    I can confirm that negotiations have begun. Officials from the UK and Mauritius met at the end of last month and had constructive discussions. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement will ensure the continued effective operation of the joint UK-US defence facility on Diego Garcia, and we will be meeting again to continue negotiations shortly.

    Henry Smith

    What consultations are being held with members of the Chagossian community in my constituency and around the UK ahead of any proposed changes to the British Indian Ocean Territory?

    James Cleverly

    I recognise my hon. Friend’s championing of the Chagossian community in his constituency. He will recognise that there is a diversity of views in the various Chagossian communities in Mauritius, the UK and the Seychelles. We will of course take those views seriously, but the negotiations are between the UK and Mauritius. We will ensure that we continue to engage with those communities through this negotiating process.

    Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (Ind)

    Do the UK Government now accept the finding of the International Court of Justice that the process of the decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed in 1968 and that the UK’s continued administration of the Chagos archipelago constitutes a wrongful act?

    James Cleverly

    The UK has expressed regret about the manner in which the Chagossians were removed in the late 1960s and the 1970s, but we are working constructively with the Mauritius Government and, as I say, one of the strong principles that underpins the negotiation is the reiteration that the UK and US defence facility on Diego Garcia will continue.

  • Theresa May – 2022 Comments on Illegal Immigration

    Theresa May – 2022 Comments on Illegal Immigration

    The comments made by Theresa May, the Conservative MP for Maidenhead, in the House of Commons on 13 December 2022.

    Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead) (Con)

    I thank my right hon. Friend for his reference to my passing of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Does he agree that, in dealing with asylum claims, the onus must be on the Home Office to improve its processing; that, contrary to what is said by some commentators and, sadly, some Members of this House, people smuggling and human trafficking are distinct and separate crimes and should not be treated or spoken of as one; that modern slavery is a real and current threat, with too many people brought to this country into slavery; and that we must do nothing to diminish our world-leading protections for the victims of this terrible, horrific crime?

    The Prime Minister

    I know the whole House will want to join me in paying tribute to my right hon. Friend for her global leadership on that issue. She is absolutely right that it is incumbent on us to ensure our processing is swift and effective. I know she will want to join me in ensuring that our world-leading modern slavery regime actually helps the people who are most in need and most vulnerable. They are the people who need our support and that is what our reforms today will deliver.

  • Lindsay Hoyle – 2022 Comments on 80th Anniversary of Holocaust Being Debated in Commons

    Lindsay Hoyle – 2022 Comments on 80th Anniversary of Holocaust Being Debated in Commons

    The comments made by Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, on Twitter on 15 December 2022. The speech referenced was made by Anthony Eden on 17 December 2022.

    Today I led a one-minute silence to mark 80 years since the UK first publicly recognised what we now know as the Holocaust. The Government’s shocking announcement in December 1942 prompted a spontaneous moment of silence – reported to be the first in the history of the Chamber.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2022 Comments on 80th Anniversary of Holocaust Being Debated in Commons

    Rishi Sunak – 2022 Comments on 80th Anniversary of Holocaust Being Debated in Commons

    The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on Twitter on 15 December 2022. The speech referenced was made on 17 December 1942 by Anthony Eden.

    80 years ago, Parliament listened in stunned silence as the truth of the Holocaust was spoken in the House of Commons for the very first time.

    Today, in the presence of survivors, we stand together to remember and to reaffirm that truth.

  • Chris Bryant – 2022 Comments on Victor Cazalet

    Chris Bryant – 2022 Comments on Victor Cazalet

    The comments made by Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for the Rhondda, on Twitter on 15 December 2022.

    It was very moving to join a minute’s silence in the Commons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Eden’s Holocaust announcement. Victor Cazalet MP was the first to detail the extermination of European Jews in the Commons. He was killed in action in 1943.

  • Mark Harper – 2022 Comments on Migrant Deaths in Channel

    Mark Harper – 2022 Comments on Migrant Deaths in Channel

    The comments made by Mark Harper, the Secretary of State for Transport, on Twitter on 14 December 2022.

    My thoughts are with those involved in the distressing incident in the Channel this morning.

    I thank HM Coastguard for coordinating a huge search and rescue operation with the Royal Navy, the Home Office, Kent Police and others.

  • Keir Starmer – 2022 Comments on Migrant Deaths in Channel

    Keir Starmer – 2022 Comments on Migrant Deaths in Channel

    The comments made by Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on Twitter on 14 December 2022.

    Heartbreaking that more lives have been lost in the Channel.

    Thanks to the emergency services for everything they do.

  • Simon Clarke – 2022 Comments on Illegal Immigration

    Simon Clarke – 2022 Comments on Illegal Immigration

    The comments made by Simon Clarke, the Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, on Twitter on 14 December 2022.

    Really strong and welcome action from Rishi Sunak on illegal immigration. The issue of small boat crossings justifiably causes outrage among constituents. The only remaining issue is the ECHR. If this plan, and the Rwanda agreement, are frustrated in 2023, we should derogate.

  • Jeremy Hunt – 2022 Comments on Inflation Figures

    Jeremy Hunt – 2022 Comments on Inflation Figures

    The comments made by Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Twitter on 14 December 2022.

    Inflation is plaguing economies across Europe – it’s the number one enemy that makes everyone poorer. Getting it down is my top priority

    We have a plan to help halve inflation next year. But if we make the wrong choices, high prices will persist and prolong the pain for millions.