Contributions
70 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEU Ambassador to the UK: Diplomatic StatusMy Lords, the UK approved the decision taken by the Council of EU Ministers in July 2010 in setting up the External Action Service that EU delegations in third countries should…25 Jan 2021HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) BillLike many speakers in this debate, I took the original objective of this legislation to be to deal with the issue of vexatious claims. As National Security Adviser, I saw at close…20 Jan 2021HANSARDEU-UK Trade and Cooperation AgreementMy Lords, one of the most mystifying gaps in the agreement is the absence of any provision for co-operation on foreign policy and defence, which the noble Lord, Lord Hannay, also…08 Jan 2021HANSARDEuropean Union (Future Relationship) BillMy Lords, I do not believe that this thin agreement—as the noble Lord, Lord Maude, called it—with the EU is in the long-term interests of this country. But I will support the Bill…30 Dec 2020HANSARDUSA Presidential ElectionMy Lords, the election of President Biden creates a really historic opportunity to repair the damage done to international co-operation during the Trump years. The way for Britain…09 Nov 2020HANSARDUnited Kingdom Internal Market BillMy Lords, I apologise that I was unable to participate in the Second Reading debate. Many noble Lords this evening have set out with great power and authority the legal,…09 Nov 2020HANSARDBrexit: Refugee Protection and Asylum Policy (EUC Report)My Lords, I have the privilege of chairing the Security and Justice Sub-Committee of the EU Committee, which has inherited responsibility for this and other subjects from my noble…22 Sept 2020HANSARDDavid FrostMy Lords, as the Government’s first National Security Adviser, I welcome the moving words of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at Ditchley Park over the weekend about the…30 Jun 2020HANSARDBeyond Brexit (European Union Committee Report)My Lords, it was great to again have the wisdom of the noble Lord, Lord Boswell, at the opening of this debate. I want to focus on the crucial area of justice and security…12 May 2020HANSARDSecurity, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy: Integrated ReviewMy Lords, may I declare an experience, as the co-ordinator of the 2010 strategic defence and security review? Does the Minister agree that good strategy is about choosing and…04 Mar 2020HANSARDExtradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill [HL]My Lords, I have followed this debate with enormous interest. I feel a little daunted, given the enormous experience of many of the speakers so far. In fact, it has been so…04 Feb 2020HANSARDDefence, Diplomacy and Development PolicyMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord McConnell, gave us an admirable review of a complex and interlinked series of issues that we face as we leave the EU. He has got us off to a very…30 Jan 2020HANSARDUK TelecommunicationsMy Lords, I declare an interest as one of the rather small trade union membership of former national security advisers. I entirely agree with the Minister that there is no…28 Jan 2020HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, as the noble Lord, Lord Polak, just reminded us, General Soleimani was a deeply dangerous man. However, the truth is that all America’s allies were caught short by his…07 Jan 2020HANSARDIntelligence and Security Committee of Parliament: Special ReportMy Lords, I have had the privilege of appearing before the ISC many times in my career; it is always a bracing experience. Does the Minister accept that the committee is widely…04 Nov 2019HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, noble Lords might be familiar with the Haydn symphony in which, towards the end of the last movement, one by one the musicians walk out until nobody is left—so I am very…15 Oct 2019HANSARDSpending Round 2019My Lords, apart from my delight at being back in this House doing our constitutional duty of holding the Government to account, I rise to participate in the debate with a slightly…25 Sept 2019HANSARDIranMy Lords, the Minister talks a lot about de-escalation, which of course we all want. The Statement contains a lot of useful activity, which I am sure my former colleagues in the…25 Sept 2019HANSARDUpdate to ParliamentMy Lords, the striking unanimity in this House will not be missed abroad. Our European partners will be reading this Statement as much as we are. The Prime Minister has some…25 Sept 2019HANSARDIntelligence and Security Committee of ParliamentMy Lords, I too thank the noble Marquess, Lord Lothian, for securing this debate, which gives me the opportunity to speak about intelligence matters for the first time since I…09 Sept 2019