Watch live as Boris Johnson outlines Britain’s post-Brexit foreign policy
Boris Johnson’s government has confirmed the UK’s nuclear arsenal could be increased, as the prime minister sets out his post-Brexit foreign and defence policy in the Commons on Tuesday.
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the government wanted to lift the cap on the number of warheads, saying nuclear weapons represented the “ultimate insurance policy”. The defence review will reportedly increase the limit on Trident warheads by 40 per cent.
It comes as the EU’s ambassador said the UK had left Brussels “no choice” but to take legal action over the unilateral decision to change parts of the protocol. Meanwhile, a coalition of environmental groups said the government has broken its promise to deliver a “green Brexit”.
Nuclear move ‘breaks goal of reducing stockpile’, says Starmer
Keir Starmer said Labour’s support of the nuclear deterrent was “non-negotiable” but made clear he did not support the government’s plan to lift the cap so the stockpile of warheads can be increased.
“This review breaks the goal of successive prime ministers and cross-party efforts to reduce our nuclear stockpile,” he said.
Starmer said the PM has not explained “when, why and for what strategic purpose” the number of warheads would be increased.
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 13:46
‘Breathtaking hypocrisy’ over nuclear weapons, says Green MP
Green MP Caroline Lucas has accused foreign secretary Dominic Raab of “breathtaking hypocrisy” by saying he worried about weapons proliferation (after confirming the UK’s cap on nuclear warheads would be lifted).
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 13:36
‘Britain should be moral force for good in the world’, says Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer added that there is “a very real risk” that the armed forces will be “stripped back even further”.
He told the Commons: “Britain should and could be a moral force for good in the world. After a decade of neglect, this review was the chance to turn a corner – but there is now a very real risk that our armed forces will be stripped back even further and that this review won’t end the era of retreat, in fact it will extend it.”
In response, Boris Johnson said the Labour was “weak on defence”. The PM told MPs: “Anybody listening to (Sir Keir) would not realise we are the second biggest international donor of aid in the G7.”
He added that it is “preposterous to hear the Labour leader calling for more investment in our armed forces when this is the biggest investment in our armed forces since the Cold War”.
Johnson continued: “It is ridiculous for (Sir Keir) to talk about our nuclear defences when the reality is that Labour is all over the place.”
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 13:11
Starmer hits out at neglect of Russia review recommendations
Sir Keir Starmer questioned why the Russia review’s recommendations have not been implemented if the country remains the UK’s biggest threat.
The Labour leader told the Commons: “The review rightly concludes that Russia remains the most acute threat to our security – that is not new, 18 months ago the Russia review concluded that the threat was ‘urgent and immediate’ – so why have none of its recommendations been implemented?
“The Integrated Review talks about the importance of upholding international law, I agree, but from Europe to the Indian Ocean this Government now has a reputation for breaking international law, not defending it.”
He continued: “The review also talks of conflict resolution yet there is nothing about updating our arms export regime, in particular suspending sales (of) arms to Saudi Arabia.
“The Prime Minister’s statement didn’t mention international development once, and I wonder why – because he is cutting development spending for the first time in decades and denying this House a vote on it.
“If global Britain is to mean anything, it cannot mean selling arms to Saudi Arabia and cutting aid to Yemen.”
Vincent Wood16 March 2021 13:07
PM: UK will work with China when ‘consistent with our values’
Boris Johnson said the UK will work with China where it is “consistent with our values and interests”, including building a “stronger and positive” economic relationship and in addressing climate change.
The PM told the Commons: “We shall stand up for our values as well as for our interests.”
He said the UK has led international condemnation of China’s “mass detention” of Uighur people in Xinjiang, to which Labour MPs could be heard shouting “genocide”, and its actions in Hong Kong.
Johnson went on: “There is no question China will pose a great challenge for an open society such as ours … But we will also work with China where that is consistent with our values and interests, including building a stronger and positive economic relationship and in addressing climate change.”
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 13:02
Cyber force centre for north-west England, says PM
Boris Johnson said a new counter-terrorism operations centre would “bring together” the nation’s ability to thwart terrorists while also dealing with the actions of hostile states.
He added: “I can announce that the national cyber force which conducts offensive cyber operations against terrorists, hostile states and criminal gangs will in future be located in a cyber corridor in the north-west of England and we will also establish a cross-government situation centre in the Cabinet Office.”
“The first outcome of the Integrated Review was the Government’s decision to invest an extra £24 billion in defence, allowing the wholesale modernisation of our armed forces and taking forward the renewal of our nuclear deterrent.”
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 13:02
‘I’m determined that the UK will join our friends to ensure that free societies flourish after the pandemic’ – Johnson
Boris Johnson said he is determined that the UK will join in ensuring that free societies are able to flourish after the Covid-19 pandemic.
He told MPs: “The truth is that even if we wished it, and of course we don’t, the UK could never turn inwards or be content with the cramped horizons of a regional foreign policy.
“For us, there are no far away countries of which we know little. Global Britain is not a reflection of old obligations, still less are they inglorious gesture, but a necessity for the safety and prosperity of the British people in the decades ahead.
“And I’m determined that the UK will join our friends to ensure that free societies flourish after the pandemic, sharing the risks and burdens of addressing the world’s toughest problems.”
Vincent Wood16 March 2021 12:53
Boris Johnson addresses Commons
Boris Johnson is addressing the commons to bring forward his plans for the integrated review, which he describes as the biggest assessment of the nation’s defence and foreign policy planning since the cold war.
Vincent Wood16 March 2021 12:39
Key points: What is in the government’s Integrated Review of defence and foreign policy?
The government’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy is effectively Boris Johnson’s vision for a Global Britain following the UK’s departure from the EU – so what’s in it?
Here’s our political editor Andrew Woodcock:
Vincent Wood16 March 2021 12:37
Government plans new counter-terrorism centre
Boris Johnson’s government wants to create a new homeland security HQ as part of plans to improve its response to the “major threat” from terrorism.
The government’s foreign policy and defence review says a successful chemical, biological or nuclear was likely by the end of the decade.
“Terrorism will remain a major threat over the coming decade, with a more diverse range of material and political causes, new sources of radicalisation and evolving tactics,” the review states – promising a “robust, full-spectrum approach in response”.
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 12:14
Boris Johnson wants new Space Command by summer 2021
So the 112-page, post-Brexit foreign policy document – Global Britain in a Competitive Age – has been released.
As well as confirming the headlines on nuclear warheads and the shift in focus towards the Indo-Pacific region, it reveals the PM’s plan for Britain to join the global space race. “We will make the UK a meaningful actor in space,” the review states.
Britain will “develop a commercial launch capability from the UK– launching British satellites from Scotland by 2022”.
Britain will establish a new Space Command by summer 2021 to ensure the armed forces have the capabilities to advance UK interests on Earth and in space, the government said.
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 12:04
NEW: Labour MP in north-east quits
Labour’s Mike Hill is reportedly standing down as MP for Hartlepool – setting up a by-election in so-called “red wall” territory. It’s almost 600 days since our last by-election.
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 11:45
Russian link to £2.6m No 10 media room questioned
Sir Alistair Graham, former chair of the committee on standards in public life, said the government has not yet clarified if the contract for work on the £2.6m Downing Street briefing room went out to public tender.
The Russian company Megahertz, owned by Okno-TV, a firm that works closely with Russia Today, was hired to install communications equipment at No 10, according to ITV News.
“To use a Russian company in a highly sensitive area seems incredible really,” Sir Alistair told LBC.
Cabinet minister Dominic Raab defended the work earlier on Tuesday, saying it was “very important” that the government communicates in an “effective, coherent way”.
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 11:35
Police bill proves women ‘forgotten’ by government, says Labour
New Labour analysis of recorded crime data reveals women made up more than half the victims of all violent crime in the last three years.
It comes as No 10 announced plain clothes police officers could patrol bars and nightclubs around the country as part of plans to protect women from “predatory” men.
Keir Starmer’s party has attacked the government’s policing bill– claiming it does nothing to deal with the worrying rates of domestic abuse charging and conviction.
In her latest piece for The Independent, Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic violence, says: “The bill is tougher on crimes against statues of dead men than it is for dying women.”
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 11:29
Nuclear move ‘makes things tricky for Labour’
No response from the Labour party yet, after Dominic Raab confirmed the government wants to lift the cap on the current number of nuclear warheads.
CND has called the move “shocking”, while The Mirror’s Labour-supporting commentator Kevin Maguire called it “penis-waving Boris Johnson madness”.
Only last month, Labour’s shadow defence secretary John Healey called the party’s support for nuclear weapons “non-negotiable”.
Prof Tim Bale, of Queen Mary University, said the latest move puts the party in awkward position. “Can’t help but wonder how much that decision has to do with improving the UK’s national security and how much it has to do with making things tricky for the opposition Labour Party,” he tweeted.
It comes as a YouGov poll finds the Tories are more trusted on defence than Labour.
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 11:09
Indyref2 on ballot paper in Scotland?
The SNP is thought to have applied to the Electoral Commission so it can add the idea of a second independence referendum to the ballot paper for May’s Holyrood election.
The party has asked for two variations of indyref2 next to SNP candidates’ names on the voting slips. Officials have tried to register “BothVotes SNP for IndyRef2” and “Vote SNP for IndyRef2”, according to the Daily Record.
They have also tried to add a line referring to their leader: “Nicola Sturgeon for SNP First Minister.”
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 10:45
Overseas aid cut decision is heading for court, Raab suggests
Dominic Raab has admitted the failure to hold a promisedCommons vote on the massive overseas aid cuts is likely to end in a court battle. The government is at risk of “judicial review”, the foreign secretary acknowledged.
The vote was expected at the start of the year, but may now take place at all – despite the cuts beginning within weeks.
“I think you’re not going to put it to a vote because you know you’d lose it, wouldn’t you?” Raab was asked in a BBC interview. He replied: “We will look very carefully at what’s required and comply with the legislation.”
The cuts including a 50 per cent reduction in funds for war-torn Yemen.
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 10:40
‘Abhorrent’ nuclear warhead move would violate treaty, says SNP
The SNP has condemned the UK government’s reported plan to lift the cap on nuclear warheads – claiming it would “violate commitments” to the international treaty on non-proliferation.
“Renewing Trident nuclear weapons was already a shameful and regressive decision, however, increasing the cap on the number of Trident weapons the UK can stockpile by more than 40% is nothing short of abhorrent,” said the SNP’s shadow defence spokesperson Stewart McDonald MP.
“It speaks volumes of the Tory government’s spending priorities that it is intention increasing its collection of weapons of mass destruction … rather than address the serious challenges and inequalities in our society.”
Nuclear weapons remain a particularly sensitive issue in Scotland, with the Trident missiles stored at the Faslane base on the coast of Argyll and Bute.
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 10:17
Raab says he stopped woman being harassed
Dominic Raab said he had intervened after seeing a woman being harassed and claimed the alleged perpetrator “left with his tail between his legs”.
The foreign secretary, asked on Times Radio whether he would be comfortable intervening to help a woman being harassed on the street, said: “Yes, I’ve done it before, absolutely.”
Pressed on what happened in the case where he intervened, Raab added: “It did work in the sense that the individual left with his tail between his legs, but the truth is you just don’t know what happens later down the line to the young lady that was affected.
“But what we can’t have is tolerating that in front of our eyes and that’s an intuitive thing that I feel in my heart.”
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 09:41
Police have done ‘very sensitive job’, says Raab
Dominic Raab has admitted there is “more” to do when it comes to improving safety for women on Britain’s streets. “I think it is appalling that women still suffer the fear, the intimidation, the threats – and I say that as a son, a husband and a brother of a sister,” said the foreign secretary.
Asked whether the government had to take responsibility for the police handling of the vigil for Sarah Everard at Clapham Common on Saturday after legislating to ban public gatherings during the Covid outbreak, Raab said it was difficult to make exceptions for protests.
He told Sky News getting the balance right between protest and public health concerns was “just an incredibly inherently difficult challenge, but the measures we have taken are temporary, necessary to save lives”.
“That’s the very fine line we’ve got to navigate but I think overwhelmingly, notwithstanding the concerns in this particular case – and they are very serious, which is why we’ve got two independent reviews – the police have done a very good and very sensitive job in policing this pandemic.”
Adam Forrest16 March 2021 09:33
Discover more from Today Headline
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.