Jagtar Singh Johal
Debate between Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Rehman Chishti(2 years, 1 month ago)
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Rehman Chishti
Madam Deputy Speaker, you said that brevity is a virtue, not a vice, and the answer to that question is yes.
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)
According to revelations from Reprieve and investigative journalists, it was apparently a tip-off by British security services that led to the arrest and arbitrary detention of Jagtar Singh Johal in India. All the while, Conservative Ministers were informing us ad nauseam that they were doing their very best and they were protecting his rights as a British citizen. What utter hypocrisy. Can the Minister confirm whether the outgoing, disgraced Prime Minister, during his tenure as Foreign Secretary, signed off the tip-off that led to arbitrary detention, including serious allegations of torture?
Rehman Chishti
I would again make the point to the hon. Member that there is a separation of powers between the judiciary, the legislature and the Executive. [Interruption.] He has made an allegation about what a former Prime Minister may or may not have known of this specific case. The matter is before the High Court. I cannot comment on this matter in that regard and I will not comment on it.