Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 4 July (HL8923), whether the Prime Minister has discussed human rights issues with his equivalent or other senior political office holders in (1) Bahrain, (2) Saudi Arabia, (3) Oman, and (4) the United Arab Emirates, since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The content of such discussions are published in read-outs under the News and Communications page on gov.uk. Summaries of the most recent of such readouts are provided below.
Bahrain
The Prime Minister welcomed His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain to Downing Street today.
The leaders reflected on the strength of the UK-Bahrain relationship, and welcomed the UK becoming a full member of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) today. The agreement will deepen trilateral cooperation with Bahrain and the United States on regional security at a critical time, both agreed.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the signing of the Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership, building on the two-way investment partnership between the countries, and how this will unlock new investment, growth and jobs into the UK, delivering on the Plan for Change.
The leaders also underscored the importance of the new Defence Cooperation Accord between the two countries, deepening joint military training and building on the two nations’ strong naval ties.
Highlighting the strength of the 200-year relationship between both nations, the leaders looked forward to further cooperation, including trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Turning to the situation in the Middle East, the leaders called for de-escalation and both agreed on the need for enduring and closer relationships across the region to support stability.
The Prime Minister and Crown Prince looked forward to speaking again soon.
(2) Saudi Arabia
The Prime Minister met the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh this evening.
The leaders began by discussing the shared challenges and opportunities between the two countries, including on defence and security, growth, and research and development.
The Prime Minister updated on his Plan for Change, which he announced last week, including his ambition to drive growth across the country.
Saudi Arabia was already playing a central role in supporting growth and job creation in the UK, especially through the green energy sector, the Prime Minister added.
The relationship between the UK and Saudi Arabia was also central to regional stability, the leaders agreed.
Reflecting on Saudi Arabia’s reform agenda, the leaders discussed the steps taken by the Crown Prince’s government to improve human rights under Saudi’s Vision 2030.
Turning to the situation in Israel and Gaza, the Prime Minister updated on his view of the situation and welcomed the Crown Prince’s reflection on how the suffering on all sides could be ended.
It was also vital there was an acceleration of aid into Gaza, the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister invited the Crown Prince to the UK, and said he hoped the leaders would be able to watch a game of football in between meetings if he took up the offer.
(3) Oman
The Prime Minister welcomed the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik al Said, to Downing Street this morning.
The Prime Minister began by highlighting the historic relationship between the UK and Oman, noting the special friendship, spanning over 400 years.
The leaders discussed the broad areas of cooperation between their two countries, including defence, security and trade, which they both looked forward to strengthening.
Turning to the situation in the Middle East, the Prime Minister emphasised the clear and urgent the need for de-escalation and urged all parties in the region to exercise restraint.
On Gaza, The Prime Minister reiterated the need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians. Both agreed on the need for a two-state solution through a peace process.
They looked forward to working closely together in the future.
(4) The United Arab Emirates
The Prime Minister met His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi this morning.
The Prime Minister thanked His Highness for inviting him to the United Arab Emirates and emphasised the long-standing and wide-ranging partnership between the two countries.
The Prime Minister and His Highness shared their perspectives on the evolving situation in Syria. The Prime Minister welcomed His Highness’s reflections on how to achieve stability in the wider region against the broader geopolitical backdrop.
Turning to the bilateral relationship, they agreed on the untapped potential in areas such as artificial intelligence, and a joint desire to build on existing cooperation in defence and security.
They also discussed a shared ambition for greater investment and trade, building on the close personal ties between the British and Emirati people.
The Prime Minister thanked His Highness for his hospitality, and said he hoped to be able to reciprocate during a visit to the UK in the future.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister has discussed human rights issues with his equivalent or other senior political office holders in (1) Kuwait, and (2) Qatar, since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The content of such discussions are published in read-outs under the News and Communications page on gov.uk. Summaries of the most recent of such readouts are provided below.
(1) Kuwait
The Prime Minister spoke to His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, this morning.
The Prime Minister began by highlighting the close and historic relationship between the UK and Kuwait, which has endured for 125 years.
Across defence, security, trade and investment, the leaders discussed the cooperation between the UK and Kuwait, which they looked forward to strengthening.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Amir for the successful Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in December and reiterated the UK’s commitment to a Free Trade Agreement as negotiations continue.
Discussing investment from Kuwait into the UK, the leaders discussed further opportunities to drive growth in both countries across every sector.
They agreed on the importance of the work of the UN sponsored mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which leads efforts to locate missing people from the First Gulf War. They welcomed the extension of UNAMI’s mandate until 31 December 2025 and to identify a suitable follow-on process for this vital work.
They looked forward to seeing one another at the earliest opportunity.
(2) Qatar
The Prime Minister hosted The Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Downing Street this afternoon.
He began by welcoming a significant milestone in the UK and Qatar’s new clean energy partnership, and the initial £1 billion commitment made by Qatar.
The two leaders agreed that the countries’ thriving investment relationship would continue to grow and deliver significant benefits for both countries.
Turning to defence, the Prime Minister reflected on the UK’s close cooperation with Qatar and the leaders discussed their ambition to go further to strengthen their unique partnership.
Finally, the Prime Minister commended Qatar’s leadership in mediation in the Middle East, including their role in securing the release of hostages from Gaza. He added that we must continue to push for all hostages to be released, including British national Emily Damari.
The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister raised the issue of human rights in Bahrain, including the plight of political prisoners, during his meeting with the Crown Prince of Bahrain on 19 June.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the Noble Lord to the read out of the meeting:
The Prime Minister welcomed His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain to Downing Street today.
The leaders reflected on the strength of the UK-Bahrain relationship, and welcomed the UK becoming a full member of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) today. The agreement will deepen trilateral cooperation with Bahrain and the United States on regional security at a critical time, both agreed.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the signing of the Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership, building on the two-way investment partnership between the countries, and how this will unlock new investment, growth and jobs into the UK, delivering on the Plan for Change.
The leaders also underscored the importance of the new Defence Cooperation Accord between the two countries, deepening joint military training and building on the two nations’ strong naval ties.
Highlighting the strength of the 200-year relationship between both nations, the leaders looked forward to further cooperation, including trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Turning to the situation in the Middle East, the leaders called for de-escalation and both agreed on the need for enduring and closer relationships across the region to support stability.
The Prime Minister and Crown Prince looked forward to speaking again soon.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to include the rights of Church of England Bishops to sit in the House of Lords in their public consultation on the reform of the Lords.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Measures to modernise the constitution were announced in the King’s Speech, including legislation to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords. This will be the first step in wider reform to the second chamber, as set out in the manifesto.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Prime Minister received a letter from Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, sent on 9 November, in relation to the racial hostility he was subjected to by a Member of Parliament, and when they are intending to respond to the allegations made in it.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Shadow Minister (Treasury)
This letter relates to the Conservative Party.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people came to the UK each year from 2002 to 2022 on migration grounds, excluding those seeking asylum.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Shadow Minister (Treasury)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Noble Peer’s Parliamentary Question of 14 March is attached in the answer.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they advised the former Director General of the COVID-19 Task Force, Kate Josephs, at any point about whether or not she should tell her employer, Sheffield City Council, about her attendance at her leaving party held on 17 December 2020.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
I refer the noble Lord to my previous answers to questions HL736 and HL840 of 7 June, and HL1111 of 23 June.
It is never appropriate to either confirm or deny whether the Cabinet Office has had any communications with specific individuals in the course of an investigation in order to preserve the confidentiality and integrity of investigation processes.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord True on 16 June (HL736 and HL840), what specific investigation processes are being referred to; who is carrying out each investigation; who each investigation will report to; and by what date they expect each of the investigations to be complete.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
The specific investigation process being referred to is that set out in both the Update of 31 January 2022 and the 25 May 2022 final report outlining the findings of the Second Permanent Secretary’s investigation into alleged gatherings on Government premises. The methodology of the investigation is outlined within the report. The Second Permanent Secretary’s Update made clear what investigation work had been carried out. It is never appropriate in investigations to either confirm or deny whether the Cabinet Office has had any communications with specific individuals in order to preserve the confidentiality and integrity of investigation processes.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Ms Kate Josephs, former Director General of the COVID-19 Taskforce, since she left the role in January 2021, and (2) Sheffield County Council, regarding the Cabinet Office leaving party Ms Josephs attended on 17 December 2020; and what date any communication took place.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
It would not be appropriate to either confirm or deny whether the Cabinet Office has had any communications with, or in relation to, any individuals in order to preserve the confidentiality and integrity of investigation processes.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have had any correspondence (1) with Ms Kate Josephs, former Director General of the Covid Task Force, since she left the role, or (2) with Sheffield City Council, regarding the Cabinet Office leaving party she attended on 17 December 2020; and if so, on what dates this correspondence took place.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
It would not be appropriate to either confirm or deny whether the Cabinet Office has had any communications with, or in relation to, any individuals in order to preserve the confidentiality and integrity of investigation processes.