Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

What my hon. Friend describes is entirely unacceptable. Although I think the Department that deals with Ofcom will have heard her concerns, I will draw her question to its attention because this appears to be a matter of urgency. On the wider issue of children’s safety, the Government are announcing a consultation on social media, and I hope she will raise some of her concerns through that.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I want to raise of a matter of freedom of religion or belief in Turkey. The European Court of Human Rights has recently decided to jointly communicate 20 cases concerning the expulsion of foreign Christian missionaries and religious workers from Turkey. The cases raise significant questions about due process and the protection of freedom of religion or belief under the European convention on human rights. Will the Leader of the House—as he always does, and I thank him for it—ask the Foreign Secretary to set out what discussions the Government have had with their counterparts in Turkey and the Council of Europe about the protection of religious minorities, and what steps have been taken to uphold freedom of religion or belief across Council of Europe member states?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government maintain a regular dialogue with Turkey, which is a key NATO ally and strategic partner. The UK calls on Turkey, as a founding member of the Council of Europe, to uphold the rights of all religious groups as enshrined in the Turkish constitution. I will draw the Foreign Secretary’s attention to the hon. Gentleman’s remarks, and he may wish to raise these matters directly in Foreign Office questions shortly after we return from the recess.