Alleged Spying Case: Home Office Involvement

Nusrat Ghani Excerpts

Monday 20th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Dan Jarvis]

I have given the House the response—[Interruption.]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. Could we calm down? Marvellous. I call Robin Swann.

[Robin Swann (South Antrim) (UUP)]

Chinese officials recently briefed Stormont’s Finance Minister on the status of a local company in his constituency owned by the Chinese state. Information on that briefing, released under the Freedom of Information Act by the Department of Finance, withheld details, citing freedom of information laws that protect confidential information obtained from a foreign state. In the current climate and in the interests of openness and transparency, does the Minister agree that it would be best to release all the details of that meeting, rather than hide behind FOI laws?

[Graham Stuart]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

The points of order will come after the urgent questions and the statement. Can it wait?

[Graham Stuart]

indicated assent.