Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Timothy Excerpts
Tuesday 28th January 2025

(2 days, 18 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Shabana Mahmood Portrait Shabana Mahmood
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The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that, as Justice Secretary, I am not able to interfere in any independent decisions made by the police or the Crown Prosecution Service, but he has made his point and I will ensure that it is dealt with by the appropriate individuals—either the Home Secretary or the head of the CPS.

Nick Timothy Portrait Nick Timothy (West Suffolk) (Con)
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There are serious questions about the transparency of the police, the CPS and the Government in the days and weeks following the Southport attack. In written answers to me, the Government have refused to provide the dates when the Prime Minister was told that Rudakubana possessed ricin and an al-Qaeda training manual. Can the Justice Secretary tell me why?

Shabana Mahmood Portrait Shabana Mahmood
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The Prime Minister has responded to the other questions that have been raised. The appropriate information was made available at the appropriate time to either the Prime Minister or the Home Secretary. It was right that the Government did not give any commentary that could have collapsed the trial. On the specific charge relating to ricin, that decision required Law Officer approval, which was sought and immediately given.