Unelected Foreign Secretary David Cameron endures first House of Lords grilling

On Dec 5, 2023

David Cameron appeared at a parliamentary Despatch Box for the primary time in additional than six years at the moment as he answered questions as Foreign Secretary.

The former Prime Minister, 57, was grilled over matters starting from British assist for Ukraine, to visas for Russians, Brexit and human rights in Belarus. His first inquisitor, Labour peer Lord George Robertson – a former UK Defence Secretary and Secretary-General of NATO – poked enjoyable on the ex-Tory chief’s political resurrection.

Lord Robertson stated: “By his very presence in this chamber he has given a thumb up to those of us who have to go around saying, ‘Do you know who I used to be?”‘ Smiling, Lord Cameron hit again: “I absolutely remember not only who he is but also who he used to be. He was an incredibly effective Secretary-General of NATO.”

The purple leather-based benches of the unelected Upper Chamber had been packed for his debut as Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton. During his look, carrying a lightweight gray swimsuit, blue shirt and inexperienced tie, he insisted Britain will proceed to supply ongoing assist to Kyiv following Russia’s invasion.

Speaking on the Despatch Box throughout his first month-to-month query time within the House of Lords following his shock return to frontline politics final month, Lord Cameron pledged: “We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.” Lord Cameron can’t seem earlier than the House of Commons as a result of he isn’t an elected MP, which has fuelled considerations about democratic accountability. Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell will deputise for him within the Commons, whereas he’ll reply questions within the Upper Chamber every month.

Lord Cameron was made a life peer final month to permit him to serve in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet after he resigned as an MP in 2016. The former Tory chief beforehand sat within the Commons for 15 years, together with 5 years as Leader of the Opposition and 6 years as PM.