Contributions
347 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillI should declare an interest at the beginning. I am a member of the Bar—that is not uncommonly known—I still practise at the Bar, and I have the honour to be a criminal barrister…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillNot just now, but I will come back to the hon. Member. We in this House are engaged in ideological strife. Every day of our lives we are engaged in a political battle, and…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillNot now—later. I will. I want to appeal to Labour Members. We are engaged in ideological strife. But in the Venn diagram that any society depends upon for the sustaining of…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillI will give way to the hon. Member for Colchester (Pam Cox) first, if she can give me just two seconds. I want to develop this theme, because it is very important to me. There are…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillI will give way to the hon. Member for Colchester first.10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillThere has always been a summary jurisdiction—invariably never for offences of dishonesty, and invariably never for offences that might lead to the destruction of the reputation of…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillNot just now. I say to the House, in all conscience, that jury trial is precious. Why? It is precious because it unites all parts of the political spectrum. It is precious because…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillI agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman. Postmasters, postmistresses, postmen—those whose honesty and integrity are integral to their employment and who, for a breach of trust,…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillNo, I am not giving way. I am mindful of time and I must complete what I have to say. This is a time when not just this House but the judiciary and the courts are under attack.…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillI will not take interventions now, and certainly not if they are of the quality that we have had up till now. The reality is that jury trial is the cornerstone of our justice…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillNo, I am not giving way. Let me make that clear now. I want to finish in a moment. The reality is that jury trial is too precious a thing to lose. We are faced with a question of…10 Mar 2026HANSARDCourts and Tribunals BillThe other logical absurdity is that, under the Government’s proposed reforms, somebody with a previous conviction may well go above the three-year threshold, so those who have a…10 Mar 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationIt seems to me that the Secretary of State is adopting a highly technical and extremely unmeritorious argument. He says that because the declaration of incompatibility is not the…21 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationI wonder whether the Secretary of State can assist me with this problem. The Supreme Court is at the moment seized of the issue as to the lawfulness of the declaration of…17 Dec 2025HANSARDChina Spying CaseDuck.28 Oct 2025HANSARDChina Spying Caserose—28 Oct 2025HANSARDChina Spying CaseThis has been an interesting experience, almost revisiting ancient times with the right hon. Member for Torfaen (Nick Thomas-Symonds) leading for the Government on this debate.…28 Oct 2025HANSARDChina Spying CaseNo, I will not—too short of time. There was nothing to prevent that because it was a question of fact. The fact is that the Government were not prepared to change their approach.…28 Oct 2025HANSARDChina Spying CaseThe Minister did say he would give way to me.28 Oct 2025HANSARDChina Spying CaseWill the Minister give way on that point?28 Oct 2025