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1,614 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAmbassador to the United StatesWith respect, this is an emergency debate that was secured by the Opposition. I am in the Chamber setting out the case very clearly, and we have had a number of contributions from…16 Sept 2025HANSARDAmbassador to the United StatesI know the right hon. Gentleman makes that point with sincerity, but I will not comment on the national security vetting process. That would not be appropriate or in line with…16 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessI agree that this is decisive action. The Prime Minister has acted in the light of that additional information, the Foreign Secretary has acted, and Lord Mandelson has been…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessI refer the hon. Gentleman to the comments I have already made.11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessOn the question about the Whip, as an employee of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Lord Mandelson was on a leave of absence from the other place, so that is very…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessI bring the hon. Member back to the fundamental point, which is that in the light of the additional information and emails written by Lord Mandelson, the Prime Minister asked the…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessThe hon. Member is rightly known as one of the kindest and most generous Members of this House. I thank him for his comments about my hon. Friend the Member for Washington and…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessI am updating the House in real time on actions and decisions that have been taken. I have been very clear about the new information that has come to light, and the decision that…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessThe right hon. Gentleman’s question gets to the essence of the decision that has been taken. In the light of additional information in emails written by Lord Mandelson, the Prime…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessAs the hon. Member will know, I simply am not going to go into the vetting procedures, which are conducted independently. He can certainly look at the detail of how vetting…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessOn the hon. Member’s first comments, he and I fundamentally disagree on many issues, but we know that we conduct our robust debate in this House, in our media and in our political…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessThe right hon. Gentleman will understand why I will not comment from the Dispatch Box on his last remarks. What I will say is that the Prime Minister has acted decisively in the…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessMy understanding is that Lord Mandelson is still an employee, and proper employment processes will take place, but I will write to the hon. Member to confirm my answer to that…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessThe hon. Gentleman asks about precedent. He will know that there is precedent, and we do have excellent ambassadors and high commissioners around the world—he and I have met many…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessThe hon. Gentleman, who I am sure has visited our embassy in Washington on many occasions, will know that we have an excellent and dedicated team there, as well of course in the…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessI can absolutely assure my hon. Friend of that, and this is decisive action. He refers to the 11 September attacks, and I think we all remember where we were on that fateful and…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessWhat I can commit to is that we will keep the House updated on these matters. A decisive decision has been made. As I have made very clear, all candidates are subject to routine,…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessThe right hon. Gentleman asks specifically about vetting. As I have said, all candidates for ambassador positions are subject to routine, extensive vetting and background checks…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessAs I have made very clear, it was in the light of additional information and emails written by Lord Mandelson that the Prime Minister asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him…11 Sept 2025HANSARD UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment ProcessThe right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about the importance of our relationship with the United States. The upcoming state visit is very important, and we have an extensive…11 Sept 2025