International Criminal Court

Debate between Lord Wood of Anfield and Baroness Prentis of Banbury

Tuesday 27th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)]

The noble Lord has captured the position of the Government quite well. We are a strong supporter of an effective International Criminal Court. I hope and expect that the House will recognise that from the statement we put out in conjunction with partners. We remain committed to the Rome statute and to promoting accountability internationally for the most serious international crimes, and we are insistent that the ICC must be permitted to continue its critical work, holding perpetrators of the most horrific crimes to account.

[Baroness Prentis of Banbury (Con)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that the Ukrainians are to be very much commended on the work they are doing in the war crime space during an active conflict? Will he assure me that the British Government will do all they can to continue to support them? Some 317 people have been convicted already.

[Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)]

I am glad that the noble Baroness brought this subject up. It is an issue that is very close to my heart. I have seen at first hand the bravery of Ukrainian officials, citizens, NGOs and others, who are collecting evidence of not just crimes but all sorts of things to do with traces of weapons use and other things for a future date, as yet unknown, when there will be some possibility of accessing justice. As she says, they are already collecting files and initiating cases at this stage. We absolutely support that work and will do our utmost to support it in the future.