Lord Wallace of Saltaire: My Lords, I remind the noble Lord that the Cabinet Secretary's recommendation to the Prime Minister was that the e-mails were unreliable evidence and that Andrew Mitchell should stay in post. In the evidence that he gave to the Public Administration Committee on 10 January, he said: "My report to the Prime Minister basically said that there were some inconsistencies and inaccuracies between...
Andrew Mitchell: The Foreign Secretary has engaged frequently with his Turkish counterpart, including on the distribution of aid in Turkey. Minister Andrew Mitchell visited southern Turkey on 19 February to see the response to the earthquakes first-hand. The Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty, also met with the Turkish Disaster Response Authority during his visit to Turkey in March.
Andrew Mitchell: I [Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell] met President Mnangagwa on 5 May. We discussed a range of issues including the importance of peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in Zimbabwe later this year.
Andrew Mitchell: The new Nigerian Foreign Minister is yet to be appointed. However, I [Andrew Mitchell] discussed rising insecurity and the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership with then presidential candidate Bola Tinubu, in December 2022. The UK Government looks forward to strengthening this partnership at the next annual dialogue later this year.
Andrew Mitchell: The Foreign Secretary has met or spoken to his counterpart several times since 6 February 2023. In addition, Minister Andrew Mitchell visited southern Turkey on 19 February to see the response to the earthquakes first-hand. The Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty, also met with the Turkish Disaster Response Authority during his visit to Turkey in March. We do not routinely publish records of...
Andrew Mitchell: ...and undermine the human rights and freedoms of those perceived as being LGBT+. Ministers and officials speak regularly with the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders about the Bill. I [Andrew Mitchell] raised this most recently on two different occasions in June 2023, and with the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee during my visit to Ghana in December 2022.
Andrew Mitchell: As previously stated in the answer to question 122106, we have raised the findings of the report with the Government of Rwanda. When I [Minister Mitchell] spoke to both the Rwandan and the Democratic Republic of Congo Foreign Ministers, I [Minister Mitchell] urged both parties to meet the commitments made under Nairobi and Luanda political processes.
Andrew Mitchell: ...test of Nigeria's democracy. We are supporting Nigeria to deliver free, fair and credible elections through our diplomatic engagement, technical advice, programmes and election observation. I [Andrew Mitchell] have discussed the importance of free, fair and safe elections in my recent engagements with Nigerian presidential candidates and the chairperson of the Nigerian electoral...
Andrew Mitchell: ...of the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) which has reached millions of vulnerable people throughout Ethiopia and has helped to promote resilience to drought. In January this year I [Minister Andrew Mitchell] announced a package of support to the PSNP budgeted at £11.6 million. This will reach 250,000 people living in extreme poverty. As a member of the Donor Working Group responsible...
Andrew Mitchell: Insecurity in Nigeria is detrimental to the country's diverse communities, including Christians, and undermining freedom of religion or belief. I [Andrew Mitchell] discussed the effects of insecurity on communities with President Tinubu in December 2022. Additionally, in July 2022, at the UK's Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, the Nigerian High Commissioner reiterated...
Andrew Mitchell: ...Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in South Sudan. We are in close contact with humanitarian partners, including the UNHCR, on the response to those affected by the crisis in Sudan. On 24 May, I [Andrew Mitchell] announced £143 million in humanitarian aid for East Africa this financial year, including £18.9 million for South Sudan.
Andrew Mitchell: ...by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) in North East Nigeria. This includes the 2014 kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls, around 100 of whom are understood still to be missing. I [Andrew Mitchell] raised this case specifically with incoming Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, in December 2022. Through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we have also provided...
Andrew Mitchell: Nigeria's recent elections marked a significant moment in the country's democratic progress. I [Andrew Mitchell] met the leading presidential candidates ahead of the voting to urge for peaceful and free elections and hope to continue this engagement with the incoming administration at and after the inauguration. UK Government officials have worked with a range of counterparts throughout the...
Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government condemns all incidents of violence across Nigeria and is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for communities of all faiths. I [Minister Andrew Mitchell] discussed the effects of insecurity on communities with President-elect Tinubu in December 2022. Additionally, in July 2022, at the UK's Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, the Nigerian...
Nick Harvey: ...of Lords) Mike Penning MP Ian Liddell-Grainger MP Frank Cook MP Gerald Howarth MP Philip Hollobone MP James Gray MP Andrew George MP Martyn Jones MP 7-9 March Bob Ainsworth MP (Minister) Douglas Alexander MP (Minister) 21-23 May Dr Liam Fox MP...
Andrew Mitchell: ...and uphold the human rights provisions enshrined in Ghana's Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the principles of both the African and Commonwealth Charters. I [Andrew Mitchell] raised the Bill with partners in June 2023. We continue to consider options in the event the Bill is approved by Parliament and granted assent.
Andrew Mitchell: ...the UK's support is helping to grow Kenya's green economy. The UK will take part in the Africa Climate Summit in September and will engage with our partners in the lead up to and at the Summit. I [Andrew Mitchell] have also discussed the Africa Climate Summit with my Kenyan counterparts during my visit in April this year.
That Miss Anne Begg, Ms Karen Buck, Mr. Andrew Dismore, Mr. Paul Goodman, Mrs. Joan Humble, Mr. Archy Kirkwood, Rob Marris, Mr. Andrew Mitchell, James Purnell, Mr. Andrew Selous and Mr. David Stewart be members of the Work and Pensions Committee.—[Mr. McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.]
Andrew Mitchell: I [Andrew Mitchell] issued a statement on 29 May strongly condemning the Government of Uganda's decision to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 into law. I spoke to the Ugandan Foreign Minister on 14 March and 4 May 2023 to underline the strength of our opposition to the Act and highlight its impacts on the safety of LGBT+ people in Uganda. The Prime Minister has also spoken to the Ugandan...
Andrew Mitchell: Insecurity is undermining freedom of religion or belief for all communities in Nigeria. I [Andrew Mitchell] raised the effects of rising insecurity on communities with Nigerian President-elect Tinubu, in December 2022. At a federal level, we have provided technical assistance for the establishment of the Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, which helps...
