Kashmir: Increasing Tension

Gavin Williamson Excerpts
Tuesday 29th April 2025

(1 day, 23 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Hamish Falconer Portrait Mr Falconer
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My hon. Friend is, of course right: peace and calm are vital for communities here and across the world. The two states are talking to each other, which is welcome. India’s concerns for its own security are understandable in the light of such a horrific incident. It is clearly taking steps to try to establish the facts as best it can, and it will have British support to do so.

Gavin Williamson Portrait Sir Gavin Williamson (Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) (Con)
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At a time of such tragedy, language is incredibly important. All of us, in all parts of the House, condemn this terrorist incident, but a number of my constituents have been particularly concerned about the BBC’s describing it as “militance” rather than as what it is—a terrorist attack. Will the Minister use his position to make representations to the BBC to ensure that it understands the importance of the language it uses?

Hamish Falconer Portrait Mr Falconer
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I resist calls for Ministers to police the BBC’s language too much, but let me be clear: this was a horrific terrorist attack, and that is the view of the British Government.