Monday 20th May 2024

(6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
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On arms sales, the hon. Gentleman knows that it is not for the whim of a politician at the Dispatch Box to decide for or against; there is a proper process to be followed based on legal advice, and he would not expect Ministers to deviate from that entirely proper way of judging these things. We all want a ceasefire, but we want a sustainable ceasefire. That is why the Government have consistently pressed, as endorsed by a United Nations resolution, for a pause in the fighting to get the hostages out and allow aid in. That would be the way to lead to a sustainable ceasefire, as a precursor to a longer-term deal. The British Government will continue, I hope with his support and that of others on the Labour Benches, to prosecute that endeavour.

Emma Hardy Portrait Emma Hardy (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) (Lab)
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How can the Minister argue that his Government respect international law when he denies the jurisdiction of the ICC in this conflict?

Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
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I have not denied the position of the ICC; what I said is that we are at an early stage in the process, and cannot reach those judgments at this point.