Extracts from Home
Department Questions
(St Helens
North) (Lab): Let me start by thanking the Minister for meeting me
and the Daniel Fox Foundation, which is based in St Helens, does
great work on knife crime in my constituency and was very
encouraged by his support. We know the impact of coronavirus on our
health and the economy, but it also has serious implications for
public safety and the country’s security. There were anti-lockdown
protests on the streets this weekend, but we see deliberate,
harmful disinformation online all day, every day. So when ensuring
that the police have what they need to meet all covid-related
challenges that they face, what resources is he providing to them
and the security and intelligence services to robustly counter the
false online conspiracy theories, which are designed by nefarious
elements, at home and abroad, to undermine our collective efforts
to beat this virus?
The Minister for Crime and Policing (): First, let me say that I enjoyed our meeting with
the Daniel Fox Foundation. I am pleased that in the hon.
Gentleman’s part of the world, St Helens, as in the rest of the
country, we are standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight
against knife crime. Sadly, we are having to do so once again,
but it is a fight that we will and must win—I am sure there will
be more about it later today. On misinformation and
disinformation, he is right to say that unpleasant and untrue
stories are circulating, whether anti-vaccine stories or the
crazy stuff about 5G. Both the National Crime
Agency and the security and intelligence services are
engaged with our partners in the private sector in removing as
much of that disinformation as we can. We have a role to play in
this House as well, in standing together as democratically
elected politicians and recognising that we charge others with
assisting us in providing advice and data and that we must
respect and acknowledge their views as being the basis on which
decisions are made legitimately. That is the right way forward. I
welcome the Opposition Front-Bench team’s support on that thus
far, and indeed into the future.
(Stourbridge)(Con): If she will make a statement on her
departmental responsibilities. [908499]
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (): During these difficult times we will not forget those
who feel especially vulnerable as we all spend more time at home.
For the victims of domestic abuse, I want to be very clear: even
during these tougher restrictions, you do not have to stay at
home if you are at risk there. Our #YouAreNotAlone campaign has
helped domestic abuse victims and the public know how to access
vital support. The site alone has received over 330 million
online impressions. We have stepped up our work with the
National Crime Agency pursuing child sex
offenders, doing more to keep children safe online and supporting
charities working with vulnerable children. Of course, the Work
and Pensions Secretary this weekend announced £170 million of
support to vulnerable children and families, and the police are
stepping up in this space as well. My message is clear: for
anybody who is subject to abuse, you are not alone and you must
seek help from the police.
Extract from Urgent
Question on : SBM
Offshore
(Romsey and Southampton North) (Con):...My hon.
Friend has stated the Government’s position with no ambiguity—the
FCDO cannot and will not interfere in the judicial proceedings of
another country—but in this case the FCDO has been explicitly
asked by the Croatian court to provide a statement. She has
highlighted that the National Crime Agency is not
seeking Mr Taylor’s surrender under the EAW, but we do not know
whether the FCDO has separately responded to the court. If it has
not, why not, and if it has, may we have details of the response?
Although my constituent may not be wanted by the
NCA, he has been providing information to the
SFO regarding the actions of his former employer. Has that been
considered when stating that Her Majesty’s Government are not
seeking his surrender?
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