Business of the House

Chris Hinchliff Excerpts

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, as ever, for his update and for the excellent work of the Backbench Business Committee. It is good news that the young people affected in his constituency are on the road to recovery. Of course, it is right that the police get on with their investigation. I hope that the law takes its course and that people are held to account.

With regard to the hon. Gentleman’s constituent, I am aware that it is the third anniversary. He knows that we have already sanctioned over 550 organisations and individuals, including designations against the IRGC. The Foreign Secretary has said that there will be full and further sanctions, where required. We keep this matter under review. I also take into account what he has said about his constituent. All I can say is that I will draw that to the attention of Ministers. I hope they will have heard what he has said; it is a decision for them.

[Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire) (Lab)]

The disgraceful scandals of recent days have left what little remains of faith in our democracy hanging by a thread. One of the lessons has to be that, while inherited privilege is no basis for a second Chamber, neither is self-interested patronage by political leaders. Does the Leader of the House agree that we must end the rotten system of peerages being granted to individuals, despite sickening behaviour, simply because they are rich and powerful, or to give jobs to the boys? Will he convey to his Cabinet colleagues the urgent need for legislation to reform the House of Lords from top to bottom, sweeping away these abuses and ridding us of all these politically partisan appointees?