Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Julie Hilling and Hugh Robertson(11 years, 4 months ago)
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The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Hugh Robertson)
I have regular discussions with my colleagues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on a range of issues, including the 2014 winter Olympic games in Sochi.
Julie Hilling
But what assurances has the Minister received on the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes and spectators who hope to attend the 2014 winter Olympics?
Hugh Robertson
The British Government remain greatly concerned about the growing restrictions on LGBT freedoms in Russia, and we have repeatedly raised those concerns, including at the 2013 UK-Russia human rights dialogue in May. The Prime Minister raised the issue directly with President Putin during a meeting in Downing street in June ahead of the G8 summit, and it will be raised again at the G20 this weekend.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Julie Hilling and Hugh Robertson(12 years, 7 months ago)
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Hugh Robertson
I would be very happy to do that. Will my hon. Friend please send my congratulations to them both?
Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab)
Two weeks ago, we had the honour of welcoming the Olympic torch to Bolton West. It was a wonderful event and the community turned out in force. However, I have been concerned to hear rumours and press reports that some of the community champions selected to carry the torch have been replaced by people who have paid to carry it. Does the Minister know whether those rumours are true, and will he be investigating?
Hugh Robertson
I have seen absolutely no evidence that that is the case. The majority of torch bearers are nominated by LOCOG, which has specifically gone out looking for community champions with the sponsors, which is where quite a lot of the controversy lies. LOCOG also wrote to the sponsors, discouraging them from allowing executives to run with the torch and encouraging them to find as many local champions as possible.