UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: Tom Elliott

  • Tom Elliott – 2023 Comments on Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland

    Tom Elliott – 2023 Comments on Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland

    The comments made by Tom Elliott, the Ulster Unionist MLA, on 23 January 2023.

    “There is a great deal of frustration with regard to legacy and how we can best move forward.

    “What we must not do is resurrect the Stormont House Agreement (SHA). The Ulster Unionist Party was the only one of the five major parties to reject the legacy proposals contained within the SHA because we could see from the outset that they contained major flaws.

    “Firstly the Stormont House Agreement proposed a parallel police force in the form of the Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) that would inevitably focus on the Army and Police due to the availability of accurate historical records, which obviously do not exist for terror gangs. Secondly it proposed a charge of ‘non-criminal police misconduct’ clearly indicating the target group.

    “It was also proposed that the HIU would only look at some – not all – deaths. It is little short of a scandal that throughout this process the injured have been all but ignored, and attempted murder treated as being of little consequence. This in effect has allowed the terrorists a get out of jail free card even though they would have been responsible for the injury of over 35,000 UK citizens. Those who oppose the Government’s current proposals because of the Amnesty, should also oppose the Stormont House Agreement because of the Amnesty contained within it.

    “What we need is an approach to legacy which is grounded in human rights. This will place the focus and the blame where they truly belong. I accept that on occasions the State and those who acted for it – the police and the army – may have overstepped the mark and should be held accountable. We must never forget that terrorists – loyalist and republican – were responsible for 90 per cent of Troubles related deaths. Every single action by the terror gangs was illegal and a breach of an individual’s human rights. Every killing, every bomb attack, every so-called punishment shooting or beating was carried out without any lawful authority or justification. Literally thousands of human rights abuses which too many people seem to want to be conveniently forgotten about in a bid to rewrite history and place the blame on the State, the Police and the Army.

    “Furthermore, if there is ever to be a serious examination of the Troubles and the legacy they have left, then there needs to be an honest assessment and acknowledgement of the role played by the Republic of Ireland. Its territory was used by the IRA to import arms, store weapons, mount hundreds of cross border attacks, coordinate ethnic cleansing of minority Protestant communities in the border area, and act as a safe haven for IRA terrorists on the run who were able to live freely in the Republic and the overwhelming difficulties the UK repeatedly faced in trying to extradite terrorist suspects from the Republic.

    Successive Dublin Governments have shown little appetite to seriously address these issues. The reality is that the Republic played a central role in the Troubles and this needs to be both highlighted and acknowledged if we are to have a full understanding of what really happened during those dark times.”

  • Tom Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Tom Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2015-11-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the threat posed by Boko Haram in Nigeria.

    James Duddridge

    We welcome the recent successes achieved by the Nigerian armed forces against Boko Haram. However, despite being pushed back from key population centres in North East Nigeria, the group remains a threat to stability, launching regular suicide bomb attacks both in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. It is estimated that over 20,000 people have been killed, over 2.2 million have been displaced and at least 4.6 million have been affected by the insurgency. The UK is supporting President Buhari and the Government of Nigeria in their stated commitment to defeat Boko Haram.

  • Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-02-19.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to ensure that all UK-registered companies are subject to the same tax provisions as their UK competitors providing the same services to the same customer base regardless of the official locations of the European subsidiaries of such companies.

    Mr David Gauke

    Along with most major economies in the world, the UK has a territorial tax system that charges corporation tax on profits earned from economic activity carried out here.

    The UK cannot tax profits arising from sales in the UK to the extent that those profits are generated by activities carried on outside the UK.

    Multinational companies’ profits are taxed in accordance with internationally agreed principles. The current international tax rules were first developed in the 1920s and the UK is playing a leading role in updating them so they are fit for purpose in today’s modern globalising economy.

    Tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning by multinationals requires a coordinated approach to come up with effective solutions.

    The UK will continue to be at the forefront of multilateral action through the G20, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and the EU to reform the international tax standards to prevent aggressive tax planning by multinationals.

  • Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to address the high cost of fertilisers for farmers.

    George Eustice

    The trade in fertilisers is part of a global market and prices are determined by the market place. Defra monitors farmer input costs, which include fertilisers, and farmers have access to advice on the efficient use of these products under the industry-led Greenhouse Gas Action Plan.

  • Tom Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Tom Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2015-11-09.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will assess the effect on the Nigerian (a) economy and (b) society of (i) Boko Haram and (ii) other terrorist groups.

    Grant Shapps

    Terrorist activities from Boko Haram and other groups have killed more than 15,000 people and caused a major humanitarian crisis. There are an estimated 2.2 million internally displaced people, most of them in host communities, putting an additional pressure on what is already a fragile social environment. Around 6.4 million people are in need of humanitarian support due to disruption of food supply, limitation of livelihood activities, and destruction of basic service facilities like health centres or schools. An estimated 600,000 children are out of school.

    Boko Haram violent extremism has destroyed the economy in the North East. Local chambers of commerce in the North East report that business activity has dropped by 80% over the past three years. The national economy is also affected. Major trade routes for the Nigerian market and with neighbouring countries have been disrupted. And the need for the Government of Nigeria to spend significant additional resources on emergency response and defence has reduced funds available for economic and social investments.

    In response to this crisis, DFID is providing a substantial package of security, development and humanitarian support to Nigeria including a £6.5 million in humanitarian programme and a £5.4 million development portfolio in Yobe state. This is complemented by a £12.1 million funding through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) for programmes implemented by DFID and other departments to mitigate conflict and enhance security forces capability. During my visit to Nigeria in October, I saw first-hand the interfaith peace clubs supported by DFID to build community cohesion and the excellent work the UK military is doing in training the Nigerian army in the fight against Boko Haram.

  • Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-03-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on the agriculture and fishing sectors of the UK leaving the EU.

    George Eustice

    We have not made any assessment of the potential effect of a UK withdrawal from the EU on the UK agriculture and fishing sectors.

  • Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-04-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with HM Revenue and Customs on the level of prosecutions relating to cross-border fuel smuggling and laundering.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    Prosecutions relating to cross-border fuel smuggling and laundering are a matter for HM Revenue and Customs, whose policy is to arrest individuals where there is evidence that they have been involved in fuel fraud, as long as this is proportionate.

    The Northern Ireland Executive, under the Fresh Start Agreement, is implementing additional measures aimed at tackling the impact of criminality and paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. That includes the establishment of a new cross-jurisdictional joint agency task force with a focus on a range of crimes, including fuel smuggling and laundering.

  • Tom Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Tom Elliott – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the extent to which Northern Ireland’s land border with another EU member state creates a challenge in protecting Northern Ireland from terrorist threats.

    Mr John Hayes

    The UK and the Republic of Ireland have long enjoyed a Common Travel Area (CTA) free of routine border controls. However, there are long-established and effective working relationships between the police and intelligence agencies in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to mitigate threats. The Government takes protecting our border security very seriously, and there is a high level of collaboration on work with the Republic of Ireland to also strengthen the CTA’s external border.

  • Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Energy and Climate Change

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-03-01.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on energy security of the UK leaving the EU.

    Amber Rudd

    When it comes to ensuring our families and businesses have secure, affordable and clean energy supplies they can rely on, the UK is better off being in Europe. The UK is leading the way in shaping EU energy and climate policies that strengthen our energy security, benefit consumers and help us tackle global climate change.

    Being a leading member of the EU helps improve UK energy security by attracting foreign investment, promoting competition and facilitating efficient and reliable cross-border energy trade.

    Unless the UK is prepared to be an EU rule-taker, keeping in lock-step with evolving EU energy and low carbon rules without any say on them, being outside the EU would create real and growing risks to energy security, consumer bills, and competitiveness.

  • Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Tom Elliott – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Elliott on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of UK aid in Syria.

    Sir Desmond Swayne

    To date, we have allocated £561 million to support people inside Syria. By May 2016, this had provided 16.3 million food rations; access to clean water for 2 million people; 3.5 million medical consultations; 5.1 million relief packages; and 8.3 million sanitation and hygiene activities.