Contributions
348 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Northern IrelandI am most grateful to my hon. Friend for that question, and of course he is right. Any negotiation of this kind involves dealing with complex legal questions and matters, and a…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Northern IrelandThat is a question I would have expected from such a sophisticated Select Committee Chair. The problem is that although the arbitration system applies to the protocol, the…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Northern IrelandThe law is the law. The question of whether whatever is negotiated with the European Union affects the legal risk of the indefinite duration of the backstop is a matter that I…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Northern IrelandWe will endeavour to give as much notice as we possibly can. Of course those discussions are running. They will resume very shortly and continue almost certainly through the…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Northern IrelandThe hon. Gentleman knows that if I were to answer that question, I would be breaching the Law Officers’ convention. All I can say is that I turn my mind to a great many of the…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEU Withdrawal Agreement: Northern IrelandThe hon. Gentleman is labouring under a misconception. I am not appearing before any star chamber, either on this side of the House or the other. The star chamber I am appearing…07 Mar 2019HANSARDSoldiers and Veterans: Protection from ProsecutionAs my right hon. Friend knows, I have the greatest respect for all those who have served in our armed forces. My own family were an armed forces family, and I am acutely anxious…31 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: PrioritiesIn relation to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, my priority is to support the delivery of the Government’s objectives. That includes giving legal and…31 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: PrioritiesThe hon. and learned Lady, who is a lady of great distinction in the legal profession, knows quite well that I am bound by the Law Officers’ Convention. I realise why she is…31 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: PrioritiesI have already said to the House that in future, on matters of law that are particularly relevant to the House’s consideration, I and the Government will consider releasing advice…31 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: PrioritiesAs the hon. Gentleman well knows, that is not a subject within my ministerial responsibility. The legal advice inside any Department is a matter for that Department; it does not…31 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: PrioritiesAs my hon. Friend well knows, the Government are keen to establish with the European Union the closest possible security partnership for precisely the reasons that he gives.31 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: PrioritiesArticle 20 of the proposed Northern Ireland protocol allows already for either party to discuss and agree with the other that the backstop is no longer necessary, and that is…31 Jan 2019HANSARDMoney LaunderingThe Crown Prosecution Service plays a central role in combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the pursuit of asset recovery within our criminal justice system. Dealing…31 Jan 2019HANSARDMoney LaunderingMy hon. Friend must remember that the financial action taskforce in December carried out an evaluation of system responses to money laundering. Of the 60 countries assessed, the…31 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: PrioritiesThe Government won that case, as the hon. Gentleman quite knows. The truth is that it has gone back to the Scottish Parliament, and the system is working. It is the purpose of the…31 Jan 2019HANSARDMoney LaunderingLast year, £80.1 million was recovered by the Crown Prosecution Service, but I am afraid that I am not in a position to help the hon. Gentleman with regards to the community…31 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: PrioritiesYes.31 Jan 2019HANSARDSoldiers and Veterans: Protection from ProsecutionThe Government are unstinting in their admiration and gratitude for the work of the armed forces. We expect the highest standards of our service personnel, and the overwhelming…31 Jan 2019HANSARDSoldiers and Veterans: Protection from ProsecutionI can confirm that we shall give consideration to a derogation from the convention before future military operations commence. That will necessarily depend on the nature of the…31 Jan 2019