Contributions
4,303 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMiddle EastI think we were all shocked by the actions of the deputy leader of the Green party—although perhaps not surprised, given that party’s recent turn of direction. It is important…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my hon. Friend for raising the concerns of her constituents, and I understand just how worried they will be, as will all our constituents who are in the area. That is why…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI am not going to disclose the full advice. International law does not just have an important role to play; it is vital if we are taking action that involves our personnel. That…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe uses of the bases are for the collective self-defence of our allies and to protect British nationals—something I am sure the right hon. Member would agree with—and…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank the right hon. Member for his question. I agree that the response of Iran has been outrageous, particularly the hitting of countries that played no part in the strikes. We…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastIn relation to the protection of our citizens, we will obviously continue operating defensively in the air in the region, taking out the missiles, drones and strikes. We have…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI can assure my hon. Friend and the House that I will apply the same principles of whether there is a lawful basis and a viable case to the decisions that we take.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI clearly set out the two decisions that I made over the weekend, including the decision on Saturday to start taking defensive action with our pilots in the region, and the…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are working across all Departments on repatriation. At the moment, we are simply focused on working with our allies to get a plan together to get people out in the first place,…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, and I agree with the way that he puts it. It is important that we acknowledge that the Iranian people have been brutally repressed for…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI am not trying to pick divisions between our allies on this. I was presented with a different scenario: whether we should accede to two requests in relation to action to be…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI assure my hon. Friend that I spoke to the President of Cyprus yesterday, and I am hoping to speak to him again later today. I repeat what I said earlier, because it is important…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI can give my hon. Friend that assurance. The decision will be kept under review, and I will update the House accordingly.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI agree with the hon. Gentleman that the regime is abhorrent, for all the reasons that I have already set out, but I think he is saying that because of that, it is perfectly right…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI am sure that is what our constituents do want. Can I also say how concerned I think we all are across the House at the attacks on hotels and airports in particular? These are…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter. The ceasefire in Gaza is welcome but fragile, and not enough aid was getting in even under the circumstances before this weekend.…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe use of the bases is to allow the US to use its ability to take out Iran’s ability to launch the attacks in the first place. I think that is relatively clear.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are having conversations with allies about de-escalating the situation and about how we get back to negotiation. In the end, at whatever stage it is, that will have to be part…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI know that a number of my hon. Friend’s constituents are deployed abroad. We are doing everything we can to protect them, and we thank them for the work that they are doing in…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are taking a number of measures to deal with Iranian threats, as the hon. Gentleman would expect.02 Mar 2026