Oral Answers to Questions

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Wednesday 14th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

The consultation that I mentioned is the widest consultation on the most comprehensive Government review of the whistleblowing framework since its introduction in 1999. I hope that the hon. Gentleman and others will feed into it, so that we can make a sea change in the way that whistleblowers are dealt with.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

[Ben Maguire (North Cornwall) (LD)]

Simon Andriesz, a former finance manager, blew the whistle over hundreds of millions of dollars of financial crime, exposing links between the United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Jeffrey Epstein and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The Financial Conduct Authority wrongly told him that he had lost his legal protection as a whistleblower. Simon said:

“The personal consequences of whistleblowing, and the retaliation that followed, have been devastating for my family and me.”

Last month, Simon sadly took his own life. The FCA review is being carried out by a member of its own board. Will the Attorney General meet Cabinet colleagues to discuss this, and the case for an “office of the whistleblower”?

--- Later in debate ---

[The Attorney General]

My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for the people of Harlow, including on the topic of international law, which brings real benefits to us. For example, when his constituents set off for their summer holidays—presumably from Stansted airport—the Chicago convention, which governs flights, enables them to do so safely and securely.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Attorney General.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Solicitor General]

It seems to me that the Opposition oppose every one of Lord Leveson’s recommendations. The Conservatives are the party that created the Crown court backlog, and yet they oppose every measure that we devise to deal with it. When are they going to come up with proposals of their own? Why do they continue to oppose for opposition’s sake?

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Attorney General.

[Jerome Mayhew (Broadland and Fakenham) (Con)]

Having spent many months arguing for the abolition of most jury trials, can the Attorney General explain to the House how she now thinks that they are indispensable? Does she accept that, while jury trials are indispensable, an Attorney General forced to perform such a spectacular U-turn may not be?