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259 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsNo, that is really not the case. First, people who have worked with the DNSA will know that he is of the highest calibre and integrity on this matter. He presented evidence under…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsThank you, Mr Speaker. Having now had the opportunity to read the statements, Members will be able to confirm for themselves what the Prime Minister and other members of the…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsI thank the shadow Minister for that and, as I say, I do recognise how personally important this matter is to him and to many Members of the House. On transparency, the Security…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsThis is the bit that I find slightly confusing about the Opposition’s approach. On Monday and today as well, they have accused this Government of political interference, including…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsAs I say, this was a decision taken by the CPS independently, with no interference or involvement from the Government. Members may or may not sympathise with that decision. It was…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsI can understand how seriously my hon. Friend and her constituents will take this. If she will permit me, I will get back to her with a substantive answer on that from the team as…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsI can promise that I will try to avoid all “gotcha” moments and finger pointing. On the question of when the CPS informed the Government, my understanding, and the Prime Minister…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsAs I say, parliamentary scrutiny and transparency is something that, despite the allegation, we are trying to provide with statements and by publishing evidence. I am sure, going…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsThat is absolutely my understanding.16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsThe deputy National Security Adviser was reflecting Government policy at the time. That was his choice of words, and it was his decision to include that. But if we look across the…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsI thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for the tone of his question. On the first point— [ Interruption. ] I am so sorry; will he remind me what that was?16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsI am so sorry; I thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman. That was done to provide broader context of the Government’s position on China at the time, but it was an independent…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsCommenting on whether or not it was dropped erroneously is not something that any Minister would do from this Dispatch Box.16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsAs the hon. Gentleman says, the decision on the Chinese embassy will be taken by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in due course. It is…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsJust to say, I have huge respect for the right hon. Member, even if that evidently is not mutual at the moment—let us see if we can get to that place. The Prime Minister answered…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsI think every Member of the House shares the concern that the case did not proceed, and that there was not enough evidence, but that decision was taken by the CPS.16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsMy hon. Friend invites me to play party politics, and I have promised several times that I am not going to do that. Factually, it is true that if the espionage Act had been…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsThe answer is yes to both.16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsNo. It is not the position of the Government, or of successive Governments, to vet witness statements made in such cases. The hon. Gentleman will correct me if I am wrong, but I…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsIt was. There was no political interference from the Government in any of the statements made. [ Interruption. ] It does not matter how many times hon. Members allege it; it was…16 Oct 2025