(Glasgow South West) (SNP):
I thank the Secretary of State for this detailed statement and
advance sight of it. I assure him that the SNP condemns, and will
continue to condemn, Putin’s unprovoked invasion of a peaceful,
democratic neighbour in the strongest possible terms.
I join the Labour party in asking once again for the UK
Government to formally proscribe the Wagner Group as a terrorist
organisation. Could the Secretary of State tell his colleagues in
other Departments that we would like to see a plan to support
Ukrainian refugees to seek damages against the Wagner Group in
the UK courts? He mentioned Iran. I would add that the Government
should be considering proscribing as a terrorist organisation
the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps
President Zelensky has said that Ukraine is constrained by delays
in the delivery of armoured vehicles. What action plan do the
Government have, along with their allies, to ensure that those
armoured vehicles are delivered to assist in those efforts?
Finally, could the Secretary of State comment on reports that
India’s imports of Russian oil rose tenfold in 2022? What do the
Government plan to do alongside allies to ensure that oil
products originating from Russia do not reap record profits?
The Secretary of State for Defence ( ): I am grateful for the SNP’s support on this. I
think we all recognise what Ukraine is fighting for, and it
appeals to our decency and the fact that we must all stand up for
it. The hon. Gentleman’s suggestion of a financial penalty or
suing the Wagner Group in the courts is an interesting one. It
reminds me, from my previous role as Security Minister, that
proscription is an important tool, but it rarely unlocks any more
than a brand or labelling of something. What I suspect will have
a bigger impact on Wagner will be suing in the courts, given that
mercenaries do not hang around if they do not get paid. Seeking
damages through our amazing courts system, whether in Scotland or
London, which is world-renowned for being fair and respected, has
a long tentacle. I have listened to his suggestion. While I
cannot advise victims of the Wagner Group, I think that hitting
Wagner in the wallet will probably be a stronger method, even
though I hear that proscription is also wanted.
I also listened to the call to proscribe the
IRGC. Iran is absolutely supplying Russia with
drones. It cannot hide it; it cannot pretend: it is supplying
Russia with drones. Of course, in return, Russia is funding the
Iranians and the IRGC to make those drones—it is
funding that industry. That poses a wider threat to the region,
whether to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the Houthis or Iraq, where we see
Iranian drones being used already. No good shall come of it,
shall we say?
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