Contributions
331 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Resignation of UK Ambassador to USAThe right hon. Gentleman has spoken with authority and wisdom. What he said should be pinned on every wall as an instruction to people on how to act, respectively, in public life…11 Jul 2019HANSARD Resignation of UK Ambassador to USAI am grateful to the hon. Lady—at least for her kind words about me. I do feel obliged to defend my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. I think that in these difficult times the…11 Jul 2019HANSARD Resignation of UK Ambassador to USAYes, I hope I am allowed back. Sir Kim was absolutely excellent. The other thing my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (David Morris) allows me to point out is…11 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsOn the preamble to the hon. Gentleman’s question, I say: well said, in every conceivable respect. I agree with what he said. A review of classifications and security decisions of…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsWe of course appoint ambassadors as we see fit, in the interests of the country and the bilateral relationships they serve. As I understand it, the leaked emails are two years…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsOnce the telegram has done all the rounds to all posts and various layers, I would guess the number is probably well in excess of 100. It will be quite a large number, but…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsWe do not at this stage see any evidence of third-party intervention of that sort. The first premise is that it is a leak from within, but we do not rule out any options, and that…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsI imagine that the results, whatever the outcomes, would definitely be made public—in what form, I am not in a position to say, but I am sure that if someone is found, the world…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsAppointments in any subsequent Administration will be a matter for that Administration. We will of course have to wait to see who is in it.08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsI agree with the hon. Gentleman. Standards of decency are slipping, and they need to be restored.08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsThe hon. Gentleman is, of course, permitted to make whatever judgments he wishes to make. It would appear that that was the last question. Let me say to the House, first, that I…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsThe new regime, as the right hon. Gentleman calls it, will have to speak for itself when it has taken its place. There is something else that this House should condemn very…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsBut as with so many diplomats, Sir Kim Darroch has the style and confidence that will make sure that he can.08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsNo, because obviously I had seen them before. I have had the benefit over two and a half years of seeing all reporting of this nature from Washington. I say again to the House…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsMy right hon. Friend serves on the Intelligence and Security Committee, and so is familiar with the organisations that I think he is suggesting should be deployed. The Cabinet…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsI thank my hon. Friend for his comments and supportive statements over the weekend. I share his deep concerns about this unacceptable leak for exactly the reasons that he has…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsHer Majesty’s Government utterly deplore the serious breach of classified information; it is totally unacceptable. As the Prime Minister has already said, we retain full…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsYes; our Government, diplomacy, ministerial activity and the actions of civil servants all need to be underpinned by trust, and trust means that people have to be able to keep…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsWe have the Official Secrets Act so that people can answer in law. Ministers are bound by the ministerial code. Whether there should be any increase in the severity of punishments…08 Jul 2019HANSARDUK Ambassador to USA: Leaked EmailsThe inquiry will be thorough, and whatever the law says, it will be followed appropriately.08 Jul 2019