Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Venezuelan gold stored in the Bank of England.

The issue regarding control of the gold reserves is the subject of ongoing litigation and it would not be appropriate for FCDO to comment. The UK Government is not a party to the legal case.

We are working with a range of international partners, including the US, to encourage a democratic transition in Venezuela through free and fair presidential elections. This is essential to help to bring an end to the multiple crises afflicting the Venezuelan people.