Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Matthew Rycroft, Permanent representative of the UK to the UN on the political situation in the Gambia.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson) received regular updates on the political situation in The Gambia as it developed, from our Ambassador in Banjul. He also received regular reporting on the UN response to the situation from the UK Mission in New York, led by Matthew Rycroft. The UK Mission played an active role in New York in ensuring the Security Council reacted appropriately and in a timely manner. The UN was an important part of international efforts, alongside regional efforts, to put pressure on former President Jammeh to step down and respect the will of the Gambian people. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on 20 January to this effect