The Prime Minister opened Cabinet by asking the leaders of the
Commons and the Lords to set out business in both houses. This
includes the Commons committee stage of the Armed Forces Bill
today and the general debate on the Humble Address in the Commons
tomorrow.
The Prime Minister then paid tribute to Henry Nowak, describing
him as kind, thoughtful and much-loved, whose life had been
ripped away in the most appalling circumstances. He said Henry's
killer had shamelessly lied about him and then accused him of
racism. The Prime Minister said that in his harrowing last
moments, Henry was then handcuffed by the police as he lay dying
on the floor. The Prime Minister said it was right that the IOPC
was investigating the police response, which he said needed to be
carried out as quickly as possible and answers delivered. He said
the thoughts of the whole Cabinet were with Henry's family today.
The Prime Minister then turned to the threats facing the UK as
the backdrop to the Defence Investment Plan, which the government
is working to finalise. The Prime Minister said the threats faced
by the UK were changing faster than at any point in our lifetime
and that the Ukraine conflict was now in its fifth year, with no
clear exit strategy and peace talks at an impasse. The Prime
Minister said the UK and Europe had to face up to the Russian
threat, which was increasingly hybrid in nature. This included
cyber attacks, the sabotage of undersea cables and longer-range
missile capability. The Prime Minister said it was the
government's duty to provide the country with the defence
capability it needs.
