Contributions
1,118 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPolice Officer Numbers: ImpactIngeniously done, Mr Speaker. The successful delivery of the pledge to recruit 20,000 additional police officers is good news for victims, good news for the rule of law and bad…16 May 2023HANSARDPolice Officer Numbers: ImpactI am so grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting the brilliant work of Tracey Hanson and the Josh Hanson Trust, which supports those who have lost loved ones to violent crime.…16 May 2023HANSARDPolice Officer Numbers: ImpactI thank the hon. Lady for the important work she does. These are relevant questions. It is important to understand that 90% of all criminal cases take place in the magistrates…16 May 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration Bill: Access to JusticeThe Illegal Migration Bill will break the business model of ruthless people-smuggling gangs, deter migrants from making dangerous channel crossings, and restore fairness to our…16 May 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration Bill: Access to JusticeNo, absolutely not. Access to justice is at the heart of the Bill, and indeed we make sure that where it is necessary, people can have the legal advice to make those points. But…16 May 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration Bill: Access to JusticeRespectfully, the hon. Gentleman may not have quite read the entirety of the Bill, which makes it clear that in appropriate cases where there is an imminent risk of serious and…16 May 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration Bill: Access to JusticeThe rule of law is absolutely essential to who we are as a nation. It does mean, on the one hand, that no one should be mightier than the law and we should all be accountable…16 May 2023HANSARDBill of Rights BillI am looking carefully at the full range of the Department’s work before setting out plans in detail.16 May 2023HANSARDBill of Rights BillHuman rights are important. I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave a few moments ago.16 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThat is at the heart of the matter. This is a humane, decent and fair country. We have shown that through our track record and will continue to do so. Since 2015, this nation has…16 May 2023HANSARDBill of Rights BillMy hon. Friend makes powerful points, and they are borne very much in mind.16 May 2023HANSARDBill of Rights BillThe rights that the hon. Lady refers to derive from the European convention on human rights: the right to life, the privilege against torture and inhumane or degrading treatment,…16 May 2023HANSARDBill of Rights BillHuman rights matter. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave a few moments ago. I reiterate this point, because it is important: one of the most vital aspects of access to…16 May 2023HANSARDStrategic Lawsuits Against Public ParticipationSorry, Mr Speaker; I was so excited giving that last answer. SLAPPs involve abusing the legal process to shut down legitimate investigations and criticisms that wealthy…16 May 2023HANSARDStrategic Lawsuits Against Public ParticipationI thank my hon. Friend for making that case so powerfully, and she is right. SLAPPs do represent an abuse of the legal system, as they rely on threatening tactics to silence…16 May 2023HANSARDStrategic Lawsuits Against Public ParticipationMy hon. Friend is absolutely right in his use of the word “scope”, because we have to take care with this legislation. There is a balance between speed and ensuring it is…16 May 2023HANSARDStrategic Lawsuits Against Public ParticipationI will give it a go, Mr Speaker. The question was ingenious, and I commend the hon. Member for it. Capacity is critically important—absolutely—and I want to stress, because people…16 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsWell, criminals do deserve to be behind bars, which is why I am proud of the fact that when it comes to rape, which is an appalling crime that robs innocence and destroys lives,…16 May 2023HANSARDStrategic Lawsuits Against Public ParticipationAbsolutely. The position is that we will do so at the earliest opportunity. As I said before, we are even considering this in legislation before the House at the moment, so I hope…16 May 2023HANSARDStrategic Lawsuits Against Public ParticipationAs always, my right hon. Friend absolutely has his finger on the pulse of this important issue. He makes a powerful point, and I can assure him that it is being borne in mind.16 May 2023