NEW: NATO Sec General @jensstoltenberg warns that “large and unusual concentrations of Russian forces are close to Ukraine’s borders.” Says that “any further provocation or aggressive actions by Russia would be of serious concern.”
Stoltenberg calls on Russia to “avoid any miscalculation.” Says that “NATO remains vigilant and we are monitoring this situation closely.”
Stoltenberg says de-escalation is essential. Says there much is going on in Eastern Europe about which NATO is concerned- the migrant situation in Belarus, Russian troop build up in Ukraine and political situation in the Balkans.
Stoltenberg says NATO doesn’t see an imminent military threat to a NATO ally but there are hybrid actions, including migrant flows. Up to any particular ally to decide about Article 4.
Stoltenberg is meeting EU defence ministers tomorrow.
Stoltenberg: “We call on Russia to be transparent on their military activities, to reduce tensions and prevent any escalation. This is a clear message from all NATO allies."
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Urgent Question granted in the Lords about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Government will have to answer what action they are taking to secure her release and return to the UK.
Will be at 1515.
Question secured by Lord Foulkes.
Lord Foulkes: "Will the minister now confirm that there is no doubt whatsoever that the UK government owes the Iranian government £400m for tanks the Iranian govt paid for but were never supplied? Second that the PM when Foreign Sec said that that debt would be paid?"
👇👇👇 Steve Bannon charged with two counts of contempt of Congress after refusing to testify and comply with subpoenas issued by the House committee investigating the Jan 6th attack on the Capitol.
Phone buzzing with hopeful leaseholders after M Gove's appearance at the Select Committee today: "The govt has a responsibility to make buildings safe but we also have a responsibility to relieve some of the responsibility faced by leaseholders atm, who are innocent parties...
"...and being asked to pay disproportionate sums when there are individuals in business, some of whom still in business who are guilty men and women."
He's talking specifically about cladding- question is whether that approach will extend beyond it.
Says an "insufficient..."
...responsibility" is being showed by developers.
When asked about buildings below 18m with non-cladding problems Gove says there may not be negligible risk but question is how best to mitigate it. Says dept is working on this. Says he's a "complete sympathiser" to those who...
Mark Fletcher, new Conservative MP for Bolsover who sits on the Standards Committee: “I had no problem voting for the report which was discussed last week [on Owen Paterson] I would do the same again today.”
Difference in attitudes between Conservative intakes (which has been reported on) on display in the debate.
Fletcher: “Mr Paterson would have been found to have broken the rules under any process that we create and we should not kid ourselves on that front.”
NEW: SNP’s Pete Wishart writes this letter to Commissioner of Police Cressida Dick asking the Met to open a formal investigation into the series of peerages given to people who have been/are Conservative Party treasurers and donors.
Earlier today the Trade Sec Anne Marie Trevelyan denied the suggested link:
SNP say the letter has been received and they’ve been assured of a response as soon as reasonably possible.
No 10 have confirmed the Prime Minister won’t be responding to the standards emergency debate in the Commons later today- he’s visiting a hospital in the north east.
Instead it’ll be Steve Barclay, the Cabinet Office minister.
Last night Keir Starmer called for an apology from the Prime Minister for the government’s conduct throughout the affair. PM appears to have given him his answer 👇
PM says there’s been “absolutely no discussion” about a peerage for OP.
Syas he hopes there’ll be “cross party agreement” on MPs’ standards. This has been line from govt for days. Problem is doesn’t recognise that that has been made less likely as a result of last week’s events.