Tackling Antisemitism: National Security Adviser

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Palmer of Childs Hill

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I absolutely agree with the noble Lord on that point; he expressed it better than I could.

[Lord Palmer of Childs Hill (LD)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Palmer of Childs Hill (LD)]

My Lords, I believe that the previous speaker made the big mistake—I hope that the Minister will comment on this—of conflating what is happening in Israel and the Palestinian territories, with what is happening in the UK. In the UK, we are plagued by increasing antisemitism. Can the Minister assure the House that the National Security Adviser is not overinfluenced by the comments that his wife has made in national newspapers this week?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The views to which the noble Lord alludes are held by an individual who does not represent this Government in any capacity. As the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said earlier today, the person concerned is the wife of the National Security Adviser, not the National Security Adviser. In political discourse, it is important to maintain a distinction between government employees and their families.