UK-US Discussions: Reducing International Tension

Debate between Lord Rogan and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent

Wednesday 21st October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Baroness gives me more authority than I have; I wish I had slightly more, but I do not. However, I will speak to colleagues about outstanding appointments.

[Lord Rogan (UUP)]

My Lords, I am sure that many in this House will have read the characteristically astute analysis offered on Monday by the noble Lord, Lord Hague, of the ever-increasing threat posed to Taiwan by Donald Trump’s recklessness and obsession with pleasing both Xi and Putin. As the noble Lord, Lord Hague, rightly pointed out, the problems faced by Taiwan could heighten significantly when the three leaders get together at the Asia-Pacific summit in China just over a month from now. Can the Minister assure the House that His Majesty’s Government are making their views known forcefully to the Trump Administration, and that the United Kingdom will not simply stand aside and allow these three men to override freedom and democracy, not only in Ukraine but in Taiwan?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises a very important point. As ever, the commentary from the noble Lord, Lord Hague, was insightful and considered. The UK’s long-standing position on Taiwan remains unchanged. The UK maintains that the Taiwan issue should be settled peacefully by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue and without the threat or use of force or coercion. We have been consistent in restating this, alongside our G7 partners.

Patrick Finucane Murder

Debate between Lord Rogan and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent

Thursday 12th September 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend Lady Ritchie for her questions. The Secretary of State has made it clear that the Government will repeal and replace the legacy Act, including by reversing the prohibition on bringing new civil proceedings and proposing measures to allow inquests that were previously halted. As the Secretary of State said in the other place yesterday, the Government are now in the process of consulting all interested parties about how to give effect to the repeal and replace the commitment in the gracious Speech. We will bring that forward as quickly as possible. The Government are also in the process of addressing the incompatibility findings of the High Court and, when parliamentary time allows, we will lay a draft remedial order under Section 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 to remove the offending provisions from the statute book.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment here on the specific case mentioned by my noble friend, but I reaffirm the commitment made by the Secretary of State yesterday that the Government will carefully consider each individual case in order to reach a sensible way forward.

[Lord Rogan (UUP)]

My Lords, I, too, welcome the Minister to her place. In an article published in today’s Belfast Telegraph, John Finucane, the son of Pat Finucane, writes:

“Everyone on our island who has been affected by horrific past events are entitled to full truth and justice”.


I wholeheartedly agree. The Finucane family, having previously turned down an inquiry in 2005, have now secured one on their terms. However, countless other families who lost loved ones to terrorism in Northern Ireland will never receive such preferential treatment. As the noble Lord, Lord Dodds, asked, can the Minister explain to those families why their lives and those of their fathers, mothers, sons or daughters mean less to the Government than the late wife of Pat Finucane? Further, noble Lords will note that in his article, John Finucane calls for everyone on “our” island to be given full truth and justice. As such, will the Minister update the House on what discussions her colleagues are having with their counterparts in Dublin, with a view to the Irish Government co-operating fully with a public inquiry into the Omagh bomb that claimed the lives of so many, on both sides of the border?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Rogan, for his questions and note his pain and disappointment. I am grateful for his comments about the Finucane family and for recognising the steps we need to take. On the specifics of his question, I can only say to all families of the Troubles that my heart goes out to them, and that this Government will do everything in our power to ensure that they have access to justice and to the information they need to ensure a level of personal peace and closure. We will review every case as and when it comes in front of the Secretary of State. If the noble Lord would like to discuss anything specific with me, I look forward to meeting with him. On the issues about all of Ireland, members of the NIO meet the Government of Ireland regularly to discuss this and all matters, and we will continue to do so to further the cause of peace.