Commons Chamber

Monday 16th March 2026

(began 3 hours ago)

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Stephen Doughty Portrait Stephen Doughty MP, Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Cardiff South and Penarth, Labour )
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questions on a much wider range of issues. Turning to the right hon. Lady's question Iran's reckless Lady's question Iran's reckless actions in the Straits of Hormuz are having damaging consequences for the global economy and putting for the global economy and putting the lives of those aboard civilian vessels in danger. Iran has struck several commercial ships in the several commercial ships in the last few days. Its actions have put a fifth of the world's oil supply effectively on hold, and indeed, a effectively on hold, and indeed, a ministerial colleague will shortly update the House on steps that this government is taking to provide help to those affected in the UK that most need it.

Last week we joined, Mr. Speaker, 31 other countries and the International Energy Agency in agreeing a coordinated release of 400 million barrels of oil, including 13.5 million barrels from the UK, the biggest ever release in the IEA's history. And, Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister said this morning, we are working with all of our allies and partners, including our European partners, on how we can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impact. That is not a simple task, Mr.

Speaker, but we have to reopen the Straits of Hormuz to ensure stability in the market. Mr. speaker, the Prime Minister spoke with President Trump yesterday on the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The Foreign Secretary was in Riyadh in recent days, showing support for our partners across the region who face continuing strikes. She discussed the impact of Iran's actions with GCC foreign Ministers and the importance of maintaining energy security and supply. And as we speak, she is on a call with Secretary of State Rubio on this very crisis.

The Defence Secretary has just been answering questions, Mr. Speaker, on these issues. And, Mr. Speaker, I can assure you and the whole House that the government will continue to work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East to protect our people, our allies, and to reduce the cost of living for working people in this country.
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Priti Patel Portrait Rt Hon Priti Patel MP (Witham, Conservative)
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Mr. speaker, this is a moment for Britain to stand tall and work intensively with our allies. With the despotic Iranian regime continuing to attack international shipping in the Straits of Hormuz. Urgent action is required to reopen safe shipping routes to protect lives and to support trade and economic stability. We all feel the economic cost of Iran's actions and this morning the Prime Minister told the press and not the House, Mr. Speaker, that we are working with all our allies to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible.

Now, recognising that this is not straightforward, where is this plan and what measures are being considered? The British public Mr Speaker need to know what the government is doing to protect our economic and national security. There are currently no destroys in the Middle East. These can operate at a very long range and can take down projectiles. They can also provide cover for minehunter vessels. When will the government send one? Under this government, there are also no mine hunters at our naval base in Bahrain, a base designed to host a fleet of minehunters.

Is the government urgently working to bring minehunters back to Bahrain to strengthen capacity and capabilities at that base and in the region? Is the government working with our allies to assess the viability of striking targets that threaten international shipping, just as has happened against the Houthi targets in Yemen? What action is being taken to to protect critics of the Iranian regime and journalists from acts of transnational repression from the IRGC? Will the government lead a diplomatic effort to ensure that Russia does not profit from this crisis? And will the Minister reaffirm that Britain will continue going further in its actions on Russia and oil refineries fuelling this war with our friends in the Gulf who are being so brazenly under attack from Iran? What assurances did the Foreign Secretary give them on her visit about Britain's presence in the region and actions to protect our bases? And did she make any progress on increasing the number of British nationals who can return home? Bear in mind the disruption to flights that have taken place today.

Mr. speaker, this is a hugely consequential moment for the world, and Britain cannot stand by and sit on the fence.
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Stephen Doughty Portrait Stephen Doughty MP, Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Cardiff South and Penarth, Labour )
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Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and she asks very important questions, both about the safety of British nationals and our allies and others, and, of course, the impact economically. And she rightly raises the situation in relation to Russia and Ukraine. And, of course, we cannot allow this situation to become a bonanza in any way for Putin in his war against Ukraine. And that is why we are absolutely committed, I can assure her, to continuing our economic pressure on Russia. And I spoke to my Ukrainian counterpart just last week to reassure him of that.

And the Prime Minister set out very clearly, Mr. Speaker, that the Straits of Hormuz are vital. They're vital to the international economy and to security. We're in continued conversations with European allies and with the United States. These questions are Mr Speaker very complex, and any plans must be multilateral, with as many nations as possible taking part. And I'm obviously not going to get into detailed discussions here, but the Defence Secretary has already said about the resources that we pre-positioned in the region.

The Prime Minister has been clear about that, as have I and the Foreign Secretary, and indeed, there are capabilities such as autonomous minehunting capabilities and others. But we already, of course, as I said, have been taking substantial actions to support our allies and partners. And indeed, the GCC set out very clearly after their meeting with the Foreign Secretary, that they thanked the UK for our solidarity with the countries of the GCC and our strong and long standing commitment to their security, stability and territorial integrity.

That was from the statement issued by the Ministers after they met the Foreign Secretary at the weekend. Mr. speaker, we've been very clear about our objectives. Firstly, that is to protect our people in the region. Secondly, whilst taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war. We will continue working to a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region, but also, crucially, stops the Iranian threats to its neighbours.

We all want to see an end to this war as quickly as possible because obviously the longer it goes on, the more dangerous the situation becomes and the worse it is for the cost of living back here at home. And that is exactly why the Prime Minister has set out decisive action today on the measures that we are taking to support UK citizens who are affected with energy prices, and whether that's on the heating oil issue, which a ministerial colleague will be speaking on shortly, whether that's on the energy price cap, whether that's in our continued investment in energy security and capability here in the UK.

We cannot allow ourselves to be at the whims of whether it's the ayatollahs or indeed Vladimir Putin, when it comes to our energy security. We've already acted alongside other countries to release those emergency oil stocks, which are set at a level that is completely unprecedented. But of course, we ultimately do have to reopen the Straits of Hormuz to ensure stability in the market. But that isn't a simple task. So I repeat again, we're going to work with allies, including European partners, to bring together a viable and collective plan to restore freedom of navigation.
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Stephen Doughty Portrait Stephen Doughty MP, Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Cardiff South and Penarth, Labour )
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Will the hon. Gentleman has set out very, very clearly his concerns. But what I will be clear is that the Prime Minister has taken a clear and level headed approach in Britain's national interest to this crisis, taking each decision as it comes and always prioritising the protection of our people, our allies and our interests. And that is the approach he will continue to take in this crisis. He's been very clear that, of course, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the market for the very reasons that he set out.

But that is not a simple task, and that's why we're working with all our allies, including European partners, to bring together a viable and collective plan to restore freedom of navigation. He raises, as did the shadow Foreign Secretary, the issue in relation to Ukraine. I think I need to be clear, of course, Mr. Speaker, that decisions made by the United States in relation to its own sanctions are, of course, a matter for the US. We are clear that we will continue to ratchet up our own measures to bring pressure on the Kremlin, to change course and to support Ukraine in the pursuit of a lasting just in peace.

And I would also be clear, Mr. Speaker, that the US has announced a temporary waiver of some sanctions on Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil, but the Treasury Secretary made clear that license was deliberately short term, but obviously matters for the US are for them. We will continue to strengthen our measures and in terms of the impact on people here at home, the Prime Minister's announced the capping of energy bills until the end of June. He has announced the extension of the fuel duty cut.

He's announced the support we are giving to rural communities with the cost of heating oil £53 million and of course, we are continuing to invest in our energy security, which is absolutely crucial.
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Lincoln Jopp Portrait Lincoln Jopp MP (Spelthorne, Conservative)
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trained up their crews and they are now at a NATO standard and the Defence Select Committee visited them in Portsmouth and they were very proud of those credentials. We've heard from my friend the Member for New Forest East that Ukraine does seem to be leaning Ukraine does seem to be leaning into support to allies in the Gulf. And so when he's having his And so when he's having his discussions with his allies about making a plan, will he bear that in mind? Because of course, those mind? Because of course, those craft cannot deploy back to the Black Sea because of the mantra convention and the cruise, I believe, are there and ready to operate now.



**** Possible New Speaker ****

Madam Deputy Speaker, he asks an important question. I'm not going to, for obvious reasons, get into the detail of individual pieces of the detail of individual pieces of kit and equipment, but I do welcome the fact that Ukraine has engaged with Gulf partners on the lessons they've learned, particularly in they've learned, particularly in relation to drone technology. I think that's very, very important. But I think it is, of course, absolutely right that Ukraine's absolutely right that Ukraine's focus remains on on defending itself against Russia's barbarous aggression and the needs that they have.

And I can assure him that our have. And I can assure him that our commitment to Ukraine will remain absolutely ironclad in that in that regard. But I don't want to get into commenting on individual pieces of kit and equipment.
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None Portrait Urgent question: To ask the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government’s compliance with the Humble Address of 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America
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Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Madam Deputy Speaker. I updated the House last Wednesday on the the House last Wednesday on the government's response to the Humble Address motion of the 4th of February after the first tranche of documents were laid in both houses. In response to that motion, the government has been clear that it is committed to publishing all
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Darren Jones Portrait Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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represented part of a return to an address of the honourable. The House of Commons dated the 4th of February 2026. It responded February 2026. It responded directly to a number of specific elements contained in that motion, namely papers relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment as His Mandelson's appointment as His Majesty's Ambassador and the discussions that subsequently led to his dismissal. As the government has said previously, there are specific documents that we would like to disclose, but which the Metropolitan Police have asked us not to do so in order to avoid prejudicing the ongoing criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson, the government has agreed to that request.

We will publish these documents in the future. Once the Metropolitan Police has confirmed it will no longer prejudice their investigation. As a consequence of that, Madam Deputy Speaker And as I set out to the House on the 11th of March, the government has therefore taken the extraordinary step, as agreed with Mr. Speaker, of briefing the chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on terms agreed by the Metropolitan Police to ensure that there is as much transparency to this House as possible as the House already understands.

The government must also carefully assess the risks of prejudicing UK national security or international relations posed by the release of any official documents. Again, this process is subject to parliamentary oversight. Any such material will be and is in the process of being referred to, the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. I thank the committee for its assistance and can confirm. This process was also followed. Regarding the first tranche of material published last week. Outside of this arrangement, it does not change the important and well-established constitutional principle that national security and international relations judgements are ultimately for the government.

We are continuing the disclosure process for other documents across government within the scope of the address, given the breadth of the motion agreed by the House and the large number of materials and departments involved, this process will take time and necessarily requires careful consideration. Where relevant documents are held. They are being prepared for release through an established process, including the appropriate checks relating to national security, international relations, legal privilege and the protection of personal data. Madam Deputy Speaker, the government has acknowledged that the documents published reveal that the appointment process fell short of what is required.

As previously set out, the independent adviser looked last week at the process and concluded that he saw no grounds for the investigation. That the hon. Member of the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has requested. But as the Prime Minister set out this morning, the inherited process itself was not strong enough. That's why the Prime Minister has already strengthened the process and is committed to strengthening strengthening it further in the future. This forms part of wider changes that the government is bringing forward to improve the system, including a review by the Ethics and Integrity Commission relating to financial disclosures, transparency around lobbying and the business appointment rules, alongside a review of the National Security Vetting system.

Madam Deputy Speaker, as I have said and I know members across the House will agree, Jeffrey Epstein was a disgusting individual and that Peter Mandelson's decision to put their relationship before his victims and the vulnerable was reprehensible. That is why there is a cross-party consensus across the House. Madam Deputy Speaker for transparency and accountability, and why the government is committed to publishing all material relevant to the Humble Address. Madam Deputy Speaker, I will continue to keep the House updated as a matter of priority, as I have done to date, and I commend the statement to the House.



**** Possible New Speaker ****

Shadow Secretary of State. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Since last Wednesday, it has become increasingly clear that either the government did not follow due government did not follow due process in its appointment of Peter Mandelson or that it is not disclosed all of the relevant disclosed all of the relevant documents in different terms, either the Prime Minister's assurances that full due process was followed were misleading, or the government has not complied with the Humble Address. Either
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Alex Burghart Portrait Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)
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would be a contempt of Parliament. Last Wednesday, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister said all the documents that are available in documents that are available in relation to Peter Mandelson's appointment and dismissal are published today, subject to those that have been held back by the Metropolitan Police. But there are many, many documents missing. I have detailed 56 to him in a letter have detailed 56 to him in a letter that I have sent him to give a few examples. There is no prime ministerial readout on the advice he received.

This is a breach of he received. This is a breach of protocol, a prime ministerial decision, even if made oral orally, should be formally recorded. Where is that record? It starts to stink of the Sofa government we had under Tony Blair. There are no minutes of any meeting at which this appointment was discussed by anyone at any time. There are really no meetings about this. Most suspiciously of all, we have no material from the Prime Minister, from the chief, from his Chief of Staff or from Peter Mandelson.

No box returns, no emails, no forms, no whatsapps, nothing. It is as though their fingerprints have been forensically removed. To narrow this down, on the 11th of November 2024, the Cabinet Secretary said that if the Prime Minister wanted to make a political appointment, the Civil service would, and I quote, develop a plan for the necessary security clearances and do due diligence on any potential conflicts of interest. This was the process. So I want to ask the Chief Secretary to very specific questions.

First, did Peter Mandelson receive security clearance and if so, on what date? There was no document in the release. Second, did Peter Mandelson make a full declaration of his interests? Again, there was no document in the release and I would remind him that noting the existence of a document does not prejudice an investigation in any way. The government has already told us about one document it is holding back at the request of the Met Police. It's more than able to tell us about others.

It is time for the government to level with us.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

What is missing and why. Secretary thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As I informed the House last week, the documents that pertain to tranche one are the documents the government owns and has been published in line with the Humble Address the Shadow Chancellor asked me about the process followed for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the Prime Minister, and the the Prime Minister, and the government has said the process that was inherited was the process that was followed. However, this has shown that that process is not has shown that that process is not sufficient, which is why it's being strengthened.

He made reference to questions about Whatsapps and other messages. I can confirm that those types of documents will be subject to a further tranche being published in due course. He also asked me about security clearance for Peter Mandelson, and I refer back to my answer from last week in back to my answer from last week in respect of that question, and refer him to further comments from the Foreign Office. Foreign Office.
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Luke Taylor Portrait Luke Taylor MP (Sutton and Cheam, Liberal Democrat)
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known, the files also revealed that Mandelson was given top level briefings before his vetting was briefings before his vetting was finished, a vetting process that clearly failed. By any measure, trust in politics is already trust in politics is already stretched thin, and I'm sure that everyone in this House wants to see everyone in this House wants to see it restored. If the worst fears of this sorry saga are found to be true, then that trust will take another body blow, boosting only another body blow, boosting only the populists on the left and the right.

So can I ask the Minister if the Prime Minister really wants to rebuild trust and ensure that proper procedures are always followed? Will he commit to taking up Lib Dem calls to make the ministerial code binding in law? But will he also refer himself to the independent ethics adviser to try to determine whether, in the course of this long sorry saga, he has breached the code or not? The prime.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

I thank the hon. Member for his questions. I just wanted to clarify whether he felt I should refer whether he felt I should refer myself to the independent adviser or not. I refer him to the letter from the independent adviser himself, which came out on Friday himself, which came out on Friday of last week, which concluded that there was no grounds for investigation into the Prime Minister's conduct because the process that the government inherited for these types of appointments had been followed appropriately.

That process itself, appropriately. That process itself, as the Prime Minister has said this morning, again, it's clearly not sufficient, which is why it needs to be changed for the future.
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