Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum

Baroness Sheehan Excerpts

Wednesday 17th March 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

We have a close relationship with the UAE, which means that we can raise issues directly with it. The noble Lord is right to refer to the work that it is doing on the environment. The Prime Minister met Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in December, and they agreed to strengthen our ties across a range of areas, including green technology, infrastructure and defence.

[Baroness Sheehan (LD)]

My Lords, last year the judgment in the UK family court case brought by the sixth and youngest wife of Sheikh Mohammed was that, on the balance of probabilities, the Sheikh had conducted a campaign of fear and intimidation against Princess Haya and had ordered the abduction of his daughters Princesses Shamsa and Latifa. What representations have our Government made to the ruler of Dubai that he will make no attempt to remove his former wife and their children from the UK against their will?

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

The civil court proceeding to which the noble Baroness refers is a private matter between two individuals and the UK Government have no involvement in it.