Oral Answers to Questions

Tony Lloyd Excerpts

Thursday 25th February 2021 Commons Chamber

[Emma Hardy (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) (Lab)]

What recent discussions she has had with UK trade partners on inserting clauses on human rights in future trade deals.

[Tony Lloyd (Rochdale) (Lab)]

What recent discussions she has had with UK trade partners on inserting clauses on human rights in future trade deals.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

What recent discussions she has had with UK trade partners on inserting clauses on human rights in future trade deals.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Jayawardena]

We are clear that Britain has a long history of protecting rights and promoting our values globally. We will continue to encourage all states to uphold international rights obligations, including under the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide. We supported an amendment in this House on the principle of a formal parliamentary process leading to a guaranteed debate, but the latest amendment is unacceptable because it seeks to bring about constitutional reform by the back door, and it would impinge on the proper constitutional settlement, blurring the distinctions between the courts and Parliament.

[Tony Lloyd [V]]

I say to the Minister that this country does have a proud record of upholding human rights, but this Government have a very unhappy record of allowing, for example, arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which has seen the killing of innocent men, women and children. On that basis, does he accept that trust is fundamentally important on the issue of human rights under any Government? Why should anybody trust this Government?

[Mr Jayawardena]

I certainly want to make sure that all Members across this House can trust this Government, but I say gently to the hon. Gentleman that Labour’s record on this is hypocritical and, sadly, it enabled antisemitism to be rife within its ranks. They turned a blind eye to terrible behaviour from countries that they like, like Venezuela, and the shadow Secretary of State even shared a platform with Hamas. So we will not be lectured by the Opposition on these issues.