Contributions
2,506 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCrime and Policing BillMy Lords, I will try to respond to what has been a wide but, at the same time, restricted debate, if that makes sense. The amendments deal principally with the reasonable excuse…13 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillI will take that as a comment for me and the noble Lord, Lord Strasburger, to reflect on, but I maintain the position. The police have a difficult job. Legislation is in place…13 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillThere were a number of points there. If my noble friend will allow me, I intend to answer the points made during the course of the debate. I say to her straightaway that we have…13 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillThe noble Lord opposes the clauses; I do not. We have a difference of opinion on that. This is what Parliament is about. On Report we may have a vote on it. I have heard the…13 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillThe exemptions in the Bill are very clear, and I have already talked about those that relate to religious, work or health reasons. Police officers will make a judgment on those…13 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillThe wording in the Bill is the wording the Government have agreed. That is the position that we have taken. We may have a disagreement on that. If my noble friend wishes to put an…13 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillI hear the point that the noble Lord, Lord Pannick, makes. We have drawn a line in the defences. I come back to the principle that the power to be used by the police officer, not…13 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillI am grateful for that contribution from the noble Lord, Lord Harper. I add that into the mix of the debate today, but I still come to the conclusion that existing legislation,…13 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceIt is important that any information that comes from Sir Philip Rycroft’s review or from the separate review from the Security Minister is analysed. There will always obviously be…12 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceThe noble Lord will know that, first and foremost, we are taking measures through the police and crime Bill to protect the homes of elected and public figures, even such as…12 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceMr Gill is in prison now because the counterterrorism police of the security services in the United Kingdom brought evidence together, sufficient for prosecution, which proved he…12 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceIt is not acceptable for foreign nations to threaten individuals who happen to reside in the United Kingdom, and I condemn any actions taken by foreign nations to do that. As I…12 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceMy noble friend makes some valuable points. The Security Minister, the honourable Dan Jarvis, has already announced in November that he is co-ordinating a cross-government,…12 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceThe taskforce is driving forward a whole-of-government response to the threats to our democratic institutions. Recent progress includes developing new legislation to address the…12 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceThe noble Lord will know that there is a judicial process ongoing about the application for the new embassy for the Chinese authority. As part of that ongoing discussion, the Home…12 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceI welcome the all-party parliamentary group and the fact that the noble Lord is one of the officers, along with Nick Timothy, Member of Parliament for West Suffolk, and John…12 Jan 2026HANSARDDefending Democracy TaskforceMy noble friend is right to say that those who help support election monitoring overseas do a valuable job. I know that she has recently been undertaking election monitoring in…12 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillI always try to be helpful to the House. I was not directly party to the issue with the Home Secretary and the noble Lord, Lord Macdonald, about the time limit, so I cannot say…07 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillI hope it does not surprise noble Lords if I confess that I have been on the odd protest in my time. I have quite enjoyed the freedom to have a protest. I have protested against…07 Jan 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillModerately?07 Jan 2026