The atrocities that have been documented in Sudan over recent weeks are appalling. There is evidence that the fall of the city of El Fasher in Darfur to the RSF has precipitated a massacre of civilians on an utterly horrifying scale. Some expert estimates put the likely toll of killings at 60,000 or more in just the last few weeks. The systematic use of sexual violence and starvation as weapons of war are evident, as is the targeting of people based on their ethnicity. 

The Defence Select Committee's visit to Ukraine was both inspiring and sobering. Over three years ago, I flew the penultimate UK mission into Kyiv to deliver materiel essential to Ukraine’s defence ahead of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Standing there again, I was reminded that Ukraine continues to stand on the front line of European security, defending the UN Charter and liberal democracy against Putin’s assault on our shared values.

Today marks the first real progress for the Peace Plan, with not only a ceasefire, but also the release of hostages and detainees. This moment is so welcome and so hard-won. 

Today marks a historic step: UK recognition of the State of Palestine. This week, I met Ambassador Husam Zomlot with our neighbouring MP Stella Creasy in support of this important moment. Recognition is a step towards a two-state solution and a permanent peace, and I hope others around the world will now join us. But recognition alone is not enough to stop this bloodshed. We need a ceasefire now, a flood of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the release of all hostages,

This week I met with the Ambassador of Jordan, alongside neighbouring MP Jas Athwal MP - Ilford South, to discuss the dire humanitarian crisis in Palestine and Jordan's vital efforts to deliver aid. In a week that saw further Israeli troops push into Gaza City, displacing thousands, and the bombing of Gaza City’s children’s hospital, these conversations could not be more urgent. The Ambassador welcomed the UK’s forthcoming recognition of the State of Palestine. We also disc

In August, I sent a letter to the Minister to the Middle East asking for a full ban on the importation of goods from illegal Israeli settlements. You can read the full letter here.

The horrifying suffering and starvation in Gaza have left many of us in shock. The distress and pain felt across our communities in response to this ongoing catastrophe are both profound and entirely justified. These are the actions I am taking to support an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to advance urgent efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The killing of over 800 Palestinians near GHF distribution points illustrates the cruelty of Israel's aid blockade, a policy that weaponises starvation and ensures UK aid – £129 million in the last year – cannot be delivered to those who desperately need it.

This week, I have been leading a UK delegation to Zambia, the country of my birth, as Trade Envoy to Southern Africa. This visit centred around the launch of a $300m development investment platform for small and medium sized companies that is being funded by the UK through British International Investment.

I’ve written to the Home Secretary urging action to expand medical evacuations of seriously injured children from Gaza through Project Pure Hope. So far, only two children have been granted visas to receive life-saving care in the UK, even though our hospitals are ready to help more. Project Pure Hope is entirely funded by charitable donations, so treatment and transport come at no cost to the public purse. All that’s needed is for the Government to grant the necessary visas.

Delighted to host a roundtable last week with the UK and Zambian High Commissioners, bringing together UK businesses from mining, renewable energy, agriculture and development to discuss our shared growth and critical minerals objectives.

The vital importance of our continued support for the BBC World Service was powerfully demonstrated by the courageous reporting from BBC Persian, which has provided millions of Iranians and people across the world with factual information during the recent conflict.

This week I had the privilege of visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the UK Trade Envoy. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the British Embassy team for their invaluable support and dedication throughout my visit, the DRC is a country of remarkable resilience, though it remains a complex environment in which to operate.

I recently met with the Foreign Secretary to address the urgent situation in Palestine. During our discussion, I conveyed the serious concerns of constituents regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the Israeli blockade restricting aid access to Gaza.

Over the past days, it’s becoming ever harder to find the words to describe how appalling Israel’s actions have become. I have engaged so frequently with the government about this issue, and I know the efforts of the Minister and diplomats are genuine and heartfelt.

I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s strong condemnation of Israel’s actions, the suspension of trade talks and sanctions on the extremist settler movement. I hope that our joint statement with France and Canada, issued last night, will further step up pressure on Israel.

For three months now, Israel has blocked aid from reaching people in utterly dire need in Gaza. UN agencies and charities still operating in Gaza are closing their operations because supplies, including those paid for with UK funding, can’t get through. Israel has now also announced plans to expand its military operations in Gaza on a massive scale and forcibly displace most of the population who are already experiencing terrible suffering. This is simply abhorrent.

Last week I led my first delegation of businesses as the UK’s Trade Envoy to southern Africa. We had a very productive and promising few days in Angola, which has massive potential for growth and for increased trade and investment links with the UK. 30+ UK business leaders and many more from Angola came together to identify the opportunities.

This week I met with Hamish Falconer, the government minister for the Middle East to talk about the situation in Palestine and Israel.

Recently, I met with Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Authority Ambassador, alongside a group of engaged and committed MPs. Over the past months, we have been holding regular meetings with Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer and the Foreign Secretary’s team to express our strong concerns on these important issues. Our ongoing discussions with Ambassador Zomlot have deepened our understanding of the regional situation, and I am very grateful for the time, insights, and frien