Yemen (British Nationals)

David T C Davies Excerpts
Monday 8th December 2014

(9 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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I thank my right hon. Friend for his work as special envoy to Yemen. I understand that he has visited the country three times since he undertook that important role, and I am grateful for the work and support that he gives to me and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Friends of Yemen was set up in London in 2010 and is an important organisation involving almost 40 countries, both internationally and regionally. It is designed to ensure that we provide what assistance we can, along with the Gulf Co-operation Council and other nations, to support Yemen through these difficult times.

David T C Davies Portrait David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con)
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Despite the sad outcome of this case, will the Minister say once again that we must support the Americans in refusing to pay ransoms, and that no blame whatsoever should be attached to those soldiers who bravely risked their lives to try to free that hostage?

Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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I am happy to do so. As I said, those brave soldiers work extremely hard to perform such rescue attempts, and I underline again how important it is that this country does not pay ransoms.