Muslim Brotherhood
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Hanson of Flint(1 week, 6 days ago)
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Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)
I am grateful to the noble Baroness. The Question from the noble Lord, Lord Godson, was on the specific question of proscription, which was the request. There are many other actions the Government can take, including sanctions and intelligence-led actions, against organisations that threaten the United Kingdom or citizens within it. The issue of proscription is one we keep under review. The issue is one the noble Baroness has raised, and we will always look at those issues in the interests of the United Kingdom as a whole.
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for saying that the position of the Muslim Brotherhood is under review by His Majesty’s Government. There is legitimate concern that this has led to networks and ideologies spreading to European countries, including our own. Are the Government confident they have a complete and accurate picture of the full extent of the brotherhood’s infiltration into religious, educational and community organisations in Britain?
Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)
The Government keep proscription under review and do not comment upon it, so I am not commenting for or against proscription; we always keep that under review and will make an announcement in due course if one is required. But we always examine, as the noble Earl has rightly identified, where there are threats to the United Kingdom. Going back to the question from the noble Baroness, Lady Cash, we can take action on a range of issues to do with sanctions and criminal activity, and in co-operation with our European partners and the United States, where the United Kingdom’s interests or citizens are at threat. We keep that under review, and I give the noble Earl that assurance.
United States: Intelligence Sharing
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Hanson of Flint(1 month, 1 week ago)
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Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)
We have common interests with the Israeli Government, and we should try to maintain that data-sharing arrangement. What they do and how they operate is a matter for them. It is important that we have as wide data sharing as possible and information sharing with important strategic partners. The Five Eyes partnership is the cornerstone of that, but self-evidently, where there are common interests, other parties would wish to share information on a basis. I would hope that the Government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state does not impact upon the ability to look at wider threats, should they exist.
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, I thank the Minister for the clarifications he has made during this Question. Can he confirm that the United Kingdom has sufficient assets in the Caribbean so as to continually fight against the scourge of the drug trade in that area?
Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)
I can assure the noble Earl, and for once, this question does fall within my direct responsibilities. There are a number of areas where the UK Government, particularly with the overseas territories, are working in partnership, looking at how we can support the reduction of drugs, the reduction of gang activity and the prevention of illegal migration between overseas territories in the wider Caribbean area. We have a very strong partnership with the United States on dealing with those issues. Where there are particular stress points, we are, even now, looking at how we can support those overseas territories, particularly, which are under British responsibility as well, to ensure that we take that fight to the drugs barons on equal terms.
EU Settlement Scheme
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Hanson of Flint(1 year, 2 months ago)
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Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)
The Government take citizens’ rights extremely seriously, and we will continue to work constructively with both the EU and internally with those who represent those who wish to have citizens’ rights, to ensure that we meet the provisions of the withdrawal agreement and that they are properly implemented within the United Kingdom. I heard what my noble friend has said and I will take that back and reflect upon it.
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, following on from the question from my noble friend Lord Murray, in some areas concerns have been raised about potential abuses within the EU settlement scheme, including the ability of those with criminal records to apply. What steps will the Government take to ensure that these loopholes will be closed and that we are able to keep our streets safe from foreign criminals with no right to be in the UK?
Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)
I am grateful to the noble Earl for bringing that question forward. The first duty of the Home Office is to keep our citizens safe and to make sure that those who have criminal activity are punished by being sent to prison or, in this case, potentially by deportation. It is very important that we reflect on that. A large portion of the 9% of refusals are individuals who have a record of criminal behaviour and therefore have been refused under the settled status scheme. We will monitor that ongoing situation, and I assure the noble Earl that criminality has no place within the EU settled status scheme.