Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I know that the whole House will join me in congratulating Dave Taylor and the dedicated volunteers at the Royal British Legion in Gravesham; I am sure we can all find similar examples in our areas and constituencies. Despite some of the circumstances, it has been a very good year for the poppy appeal. I pay tribute to the volunteers, who do an absolutely fantastic job, but also to the public, who step forward and support the appeal. The volunteers’ hard work is a really powerful demonstration of our nation’s commitment to those who have served. Should my hon. Friend want to raise this issue in a timely fashion, she could do so next Thursday; or perhaps she could apply for an Adjournment debate, in which she could go into the subject in more detail.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

There are reports that the authorities in Saudi Arabia use wide-ranging internet censorship, automated surveillance, and prosecution under cyber-crime or counter-terror laws to punish online religious expression and dissent. Will the Leader of the House urge the Foreign Secretary to set out the concrete steps that His Majesty’s Government will take to challenge such violations of freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia, and to protect the right of religious minorities and non-believers to express themselves online without any fear?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising such an important point, as is his custom in this House. As he knows, the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, both offline and online. The Foreign Office regularly engages with Governments directly to raise areas of concern. I will make sure that these concerns are brought to the attention of the Foreign Secretary, and that the hon. Gentleman gets an answer.