Horizon inquiry has shown evidence of ‘incompetence and malevolence’ by Post Office, says minister – UK politics live
Kevin Hollinrake, responding to urgent question about Post Office scandal, says evidence was not available at time of prosecutions
Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt by Tory MPs later today when the Commons votes to give the economic activity of public bodies (overseas activities) bill a third reading. The vote will take place early in the evening, after MPs have debated the finance bill. Aubrey Allegretti from the Times says around a dozen Conservatives will refuse to vote for the bill.
Rishi Sunak faces his first rebellion of the new year later today.
I'm told around a dozen Tory MPs - led by former cabinet minister Kit Malthouse - will likely not vote for the third reading of the anti-BDS bill.
It does not effectively address the problem it rightly seeks to solve, is incompatible with international law and UN Security Council Resolutions, risks undermining support for groups around the world facing persecution, includes needlessly broad and sweeping draconian powers while placing unprecedented restrictions on public bodies to express a view on current and proposed policy and represents a major departure from the UK Government's long-established diplomatic position on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Golan Heights, in a way that undermines the UK's future credibility and capacity to support diplomatic negotiations towards a just and lasting peace in Israel and Palestine based on a two-state solution, at a time when consistent support for that objective is more important than ever.
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