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15 Sep Foreign affairs

Government Accused Of A "Wishy Washy" Stance On China

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith has described the government’s stance on China as “wishy washy”, after the government responded to a damning report by the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC).

30 Aug Foreign affairs

Foreign Secretary Defends China Diplomacy Despite Criticism From MPs

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has defended his visit to China against criticism from MPs that the government's stance on China has been "incoherent", as he visits the country for the first time.

14 Feb Foreign affairs

Former Tory Leader Says Government Is "Asleep At The Wheel" On China Risks

Iain Duncan Smith has accused the government of being “asleep at the wheel” over international security concerns relating to China, after days of speculation over possible spy balloons in Western airspace.

11 Oct 2022 Foreign affairs

The Foreign Secretary must act fast to tackle the crisis in UK aid transparency

As foreign secretary last year, the Prime Minister Liz Truss spoke of a Global Britain planting its flag on the world stage and tackling major challenges alongside our friends and allies. Now we know that this was nothing more than empty rhetoric as we face an unprecedented crisis in United Kingdom aid.

21 Mar 2022 Health

Government "Spooked" By Attempts To Block Medical Equipment From Regions With "Genocide Risk"

An amendment to the Health and Care Bill, seeking to ban the Department of Health from procuring medical equipment made in regions of the world at “serious risk of genocide” is believed to be causing unease within government.

03 Mar 2022 Economy

Oligarchs Alisher Usmanov And Igor Shuvalov Added To UK Sanctions List

Billionaire Everton Football Club sponsor Alisher Usmanov and Russian politician Igor Shuvalov have been added to the list of oligarchs being sanctioned by the UK government.

28 Feb 2022 Foreign affairs

“What happens, happens, I’ve lived a good life”: British Volunteers Headed For Ukraine’s Frontline

British volunteers are already preparing to head for Ukraine’s frontline, despite warnings they could be killed or face legal implications when they return to the UK.

08 Feb 2022 Foreign affairs

Government must ensure post-Brexit trade agreements receive parliamentary scrutiny

Ever since 2010, Parliament has had an enhanced – though not decisive – role in agreeing international treaties negotiated by the government, with treaties having to be laid in both Houses at least 21 days before ratification.

09 Dec 2021 Foreign affairs

Mistakes were clearly made in the Afghanistan withdrawal. We must not forget those left behind

From a Military perspective, Operation Pitting, the emergency evacuation to airlift 15,000 Britons and at-risk Afghans was a formidable effort. Although lasting just a few days, I hope the MOD will not hesitate to express the nation’s gratitude by awarding a medal to all those involved.

16 Nov 2021 Foreign affairs

The government has repeatedly missed opportunities to help bring Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe home

Some politicians spend a long time choosing a campaign that they are going to focus on. When I got a call from my office in 2016 saying that one of my constituents had been arrested for a crime she didn’t commit while on holiday in Iran, I knew that I would not have the luxury of that choice.

26 Aug 2021 Defence

Boris Johnson Says UK Is Doing "Everything We Can" To Get People Out Of Afghanistan As Deadline Looms

The Prime Minister has claimed the "lion's share" of eligible people have been evacuated from Afghanistan but admitted there would still be those who "need help".

30 Apr 2021 Foreign affairs

Boris Johnson Urged To Answer "Serious Questions" About Knowledge Of "Clear The Bodies Away" Libya Project

Exclusive: The Prime Minister has been accused of a “lack of transparency” over his failure to detail his links with a project to build a new “Dubai” in Libya.

24 Apr 2021 Foreign affairs

Exclusive: Eddie Lister Was A Director Of Firm Aiming To Build "The Next Dubai" In Libya While Serving On Foreign Office Board

Boris Johnson's senior aide was a director of a firm that was aiming to build a "Hong Kong" in Libya, while serving as a non-executive director at the Foreign Office.

19 Mar 2021 Coronavirus

Can the Prime Minister get away with legal gymnastics on cuts to the aid budget?

While cutting international development spending may be unpopular with parts of the Tory backbenches and charities, without concerted public pressure the government may be able to avoid legislative action

25 Nov 2020 Economy

A Foreign Office Minister Has Resigned From Government Over Plans To Cut International Aid

The government is facing a brewing backbench rebellion and ministerial resignations over its controversial plans to scrap the UK’s pledge to give 0.7% of GDP in international aid.

29 Oct 2020 Foreign affairs

Britain needs a National Strategy Council to drive our global interests

Currently UK foreign policy lacks clarity and coherence. A National Strategy Council would look ahead to see both threats and opportunities, building a long-term global strategy for the UK.

18 Sep 2020 Foreign affairs

Amal Clooney Has Resigned As UK Special Envoy Over Boris Johnson’s “Lamentable” Plans to Violate International Law

Amal Clooney has resigned as a UK special envoy in protest at what she calls a “lamentable” plan to “violate an international treaty signed by the Prime Minister less than a year ago”.

The new FCDO must retain Britain’s position as an international development superpower

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25 Aug 2020 Foreign affairs

The new FCDO must retain Britain’s position as an international development superpower

The new Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) will tackle both the root causes of poverty and counter authoritarianism.

27 Jul 2020 Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Foreign Office ‘too slow‘ to repatriate Brits stranded abroad when pandemic hit

The Foreign Office was too slow to help Brits stranded abroad when the coronavirus pandemic hit, a report by MPs has found.

17 Jul 2020 Foreign affairs

MPs slam Boris Johnson’s ‘impulsive’ decision to merge overseas aid department with the Foreign Office

MPs have criticised Boris Johnson’s “costly and disruptive” plans to absorb the Department for International Development (DfID) back into the Foreign Office.

06 Jul 2020 Brexit

Dominic Raab names first human rights abusers to be targeted by UK post-Brexit sanction regime

The Foreign Secretary has revealed the first foreign nationals to face asset freezes and travel bans as he unveiled the UK’s new post-Brexit sanction regime.

16 Jun 2020 Coronavirus

WaterAid statement – merger of DFID and FCO

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the merger of the Department for International Development and the Foreign Office to create the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Department.

16 Jun 2020 Foreign affairs

Save the Children response to announcement of merger of Department for International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Prime Minister's announcement diminishes the UK's global role, and will reduce the impact of its aid. We can only lessen the damage of this move if we hold on to the high standards that DFID set.

12 Apr 2020 Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Labour’s Lisa Nandy says UK needs ‘interim Foreign Secretary’ while Dominic Raab stands in for Boris Johnson

The Government should appoint an “interim” Foreign Secretary to fill in for Dominic Raab while he leads the UK’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, Labour’s Lisa Nandy has said.