Oral Answers to Questions

David Linden Excerpts

Tuesday 17th October 2017 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[David Linden (Glasgow East) (SNP)]

1. What recent discussions he has had with representatives from other UN Security Council member states on the protection of civilians in Libya.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Boris Johnson)]

I have regular discussions with our P3 partners—the French and the Americans—and with Italy, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates on how we can bring together the international community in support of the United Nations plan for Libya, which in our view offers by far the best hope for that country and the best prospect of security for all its people.

[David Linden]

The Foreign Secretary has been widely deplored for stating that Sirte could be the new Dubai if

“they…clear the dead bodies away.”

This is just the latest gaffe from the Foreign Secretary. Will he do the right thing and apologise, or will he resign?

[Boris Johnson]

We must all be aware of the reality in Libya, and indeed in Sirte: there is a tragic absence of security and the problems of that city have yet to be resolved. But when they are resolved—they will be addressed, and are being, with the help of this country—the people of Libya will indeed have fantastic economic prospects, and that is the objective of this Government.