UK Government panned for refusal to address pro-Israel group concerns
Jon Pearce said in a column for The Jerusalem Post in March that his organisation believes that the ICC warrant is 'morally suspect [and] legally dubious'.
The Labour MP further said that LFI opposes the [[UK Government]]'s decision to suspend 30 out of around 350 weapons export licences to Israel, and tacitly criticised Labour for restoring funding to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
READ MORE: Scottish Water hits back at UK minister's 'inaccurate' pollution comments
In the aftermath of that story – on April 28 – SNP MP Chris Law (below) wrote to both Pearce and Keir Starmer looking to clarify if the comments were made in his own capacity or if they reflected the viewpoints of LFI.
He also expressed concerns over a UK MP appearing to 'cast doubt on an independent court' and raised the question of whether ministerial support or membership of LFI – if the comments did reflect the group's viewpoint – is compatible with collective responsibility.
(Image: Getty Images)
According to a list The National reported on in April which is no longer on the LFI website but can be viewed through the Internet Archive, some of Labour's most senior ministers were members of the group.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, and Crime Minister Diana Johnson were all LFI vice-chairs before last July's General Election.
Former Labour Friends of Israel vice-chairs, now UK Government ministers (from left) Peter Kyle, Diana Johnson, Rachel Reeves, Pat McFadden, and Jonathan Reynolds (Image: PA)
But asked at the time if those ministers still supported LFI and backed Pearce's criticism of the ICC, all five of their respective UK Government departments refused to comment.
Several months after sending the letter, Law has still received no response. This led to a subsequent written question asking when he could expect a response, to which the UK Government recently responded: 'There are no plans to respond to the letter'.
Now, he has hit out at the silence and called it 'astounding'.
'Amidst Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza, Jon Pearce's comments contrary to the position of the [[UK Government]] make it clear that membership of Labour Friends of Israel and membership of the [[UK Government]] are incompatible,' he told The National.
'Despite donating to over half the cabinet and increasing its lobbying efforts amongst backbench MPs, Labour Friends of Israel does not disclose its funding.
READ MORE: Anger as Scottish energy bills to rise to pay for English nuclear plant
'The Government's refusal to respond to my letter is astounding yet it is somewhat characteristic of the cowardice they have demonstrated since the start of the war when it comes to answering awkward questions on their relationship with Israel.'
Law added: 'The Cabinet Office recognises that the right of MPs to write to Ministers and receive a timely and accurate reply is 'an essential part of representative democracy'.
'The Government is hiding from its responsibility to be accountable to MPs and their constituents, just as it failing to fulfil its obligation to stop Israel's genocide in Gaza.'
The UK Government and Jon Pearce have been approached for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
12 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Swinney to press Trump on Scotch whisky tariffs exemption
John Swinney said the 'uniqueness' of whisky made in Scotland justified the exemption from the 10% tariff applied on UK exports into the US. The First Minister, who is due to hold talks with Mr Trump during his ongoing visit to Scotland, said the tariffs were currently costing the local whisky industry £4 million a week. Donald Trump plays golf at his course in South Ayrshire (Jane Barlow/PA) 'Tariffs are very important for the Scottish economy and obviously scotch whisky is a unique product,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'It can only be produced in Scotland. It's not a product that can be produced in any other part of the world. So there's a uniqueness about that, which I think means there is a case for it to be taken out of the tariffs arrangement that is now in place. 'Obviously the trade deal with the United States provides a degree of stability for economic connections with the United States, but the application of tariffs is increasing the costs for the Scotch whisky industry. 'So one of my objectives will be to make the case to President Trump that Scotch whisky should be exempted from those tariffs. 'It's a product that is uniquely produced in Scotland, and it's a product that is much welcomed and supported within the United States. And I think there's a really good case for exempting Scotch whisky, and this is an opportunity that I have to put that case to President Trump on behalf of the Scotch whisky industry, which is a significant part of the Scottish economy. 'And the tariffs just now are costing the industry about £4 million each week, so it's a very significant burden on the industry. It would help growth and development within the Scottish economy if we could secure that deal. And, obviously, I'll be using every opportunity I have to try to put that across to President Trump.' Mr Trump's five-day visit to Scotland is largely a private one that has seen the president play golf at his course at Turnberry in Ayrshire ahead of opening a new course at his property in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday. Mr Swinney said the final cost of the policing the visit has yet to be worked out. 'Obviously, we're working very closely with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority about the arrangements for this visit,' he said. 'The security arrangements have gone well since President Trump arrived on Friday, and that's as it should be, because we've got an obligation to make sure that when we have major international visitors, when they come to Scotland, that they are protected and able to go about their activities. Pressed to reveal the bill, Mr Swinney added: 'All of that will be worked out and we'll address that with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority, and we're talking to the United Kingdom government about these questions, but it's important that we have a secure policing operation. 'It's also important that members of the public who wish to express their point of view, who want to protest about the visit or about other issues, are able to go about their exercise of their democratic right to protest. That's exactly what they've been able to do since Friday, and that's the way it should be.'
Glasgow Times
12 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Swinney to press Trump on Scotch whisky tariffs exemption
John Swinney said the 'uniqueness' of whisky made in Scotland justified the exemption from the 10% tariff applied on UK exports into the US. The First Minister, who is due to hold talks with Mr Trump during his ongoing visit to Scotland, said the tariffs were currently costing the local whisky industry £4 million a week. Donald Trump plays golf at his course in South Ayrshire (Jane Barlow/PA) 'Tariffs are very important for the Scottish economy and obviously scotch whisky is a unique product,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'It can only be produced in Scotland. It's not a product that can be produced in any other part of the world. So there's a uniqueness about that, which I think means there is a case for it to be taken out of the tariffs arrangement that is now in place. 'Obviously the trade deal with the United States provides a degree of stability for economic connections with the United States, but the application of tariffs is increasing the costs for the Scotch whisky industry. 'So one of my objectives will be to make the case to President Trump that Scotch whisky should be exempted from those tariffs. 'It's a product that is uniquely produced in Scotland, and it's a product that is much welcomed and supported within the United States. And I think there's a really good case for exempting Scotch whisky, and this is an opportunity that I have to put that case to President Trump on behalf of the Scotch whisky industry, which is a significant part of the Scottish economy. 'And the tariffs just now are costing the industry about £4 million each week, so it's a very significant burden on the industry. It would help growth and development within the Scottish economy if we could secure that deal. And, obviously, I'll be using every opportunity I have to try to put that across to President Trump.' Mr Trump's five-day visit to Scotland is largely a private one that has seen the president play golf at his course at Turnberry in Ayrshire ahead of opening a new course at his property in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday. Mr Swinney said the final cost of the policing the visit has yet to be worked out. 'Obviously, we're working very closely with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority about the arrangements for this visit,' he said. 'The security arrangements have gone well since President Trump arrived on Friday, and that's as it should be, because we've got an obligation to make sure that when we have major international visitors, when they come to Scotland, that they are protected and able to go about their activities. Pressed to reveal the bill, Mr Swinney added: 'All of that will be worked out and we'll address that with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority, and we're talking to the United Kingdom government about these questions, but it's important that we have a secure policing operation. 'It's also important that members of the public who wish to express their point of view, who want to protest about the visit or about other issues, are able to go about their exercise of their democratic right to protest. That's exactly what they've been able to do since Friday, and that's the way it should be.'
Rhyl Journal
42 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Swinney to press Trump on Scotch whisky tariffs exemption
John Swinney said the 'uniqueness' of whisky made in Scotland justified the exemption from the 10% tariff applied on UK exports into the US. The First Minister, who is due to hold talks with Mr Trump during his ongoing visit to Scotland, said the tariffs were currently costing the local whisky industry £4 million a week. 'Tariffs are very important for the Scottish economy and obviously scotch whisky is a unique product,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'It can only be produced in Scotland. It's not a product that can be produced in any other part of the world. So there's a uniqueness about that, which I think means there is a case for it to be taken out of the tariffs arrangement that is now in place. 'Obviously the trade deal with the United States provides a degree of stability for economic connections with the United States, but the application of tariffs is increasing the costs for the Scotch whisky industry. 'So one of my objectives will be to make the case to President Trump that Scotch whisky should be exempted from those tariffs. 'It's a product that is uniquely produced in Scotland, and it's a product that is much welcomed and supported within the United States. And I think there's a really good case for exempting Scotch whisky, and this is an opportunity that I have to put that case to President Trump on behalf of the Scotch whisky industry, which is a significant part of the Scottish economy. 'And the tariffs just now are costing the industry about £4 million each week, so it's a very significant burden on the industry. It would help growth and development within the Scottish economy if we could secure that deal. And, obviously, I'll be using every opportunity I have to try to put that across to President Trump.' Mr Trump's five-day visit to Scotland is largely a private one that has seen the president play golf at his course at Turnberry in Ayrshire ahead of opening a new course at his property in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday. Mr Swinney said the final cost of the policing the visit has yet to be worked out. 'Obviously, we're working very closely with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority about the arrangements for this visit,' he said. 'The security arrangements have gone well since President Trump arrived on Friday, and that's as it should be, because we've got an obligation to make sure that when we have major international visitors, when they come to Scotland, that they are protected and able to go about their activities. Pressed to reveal the bill, Mr Swinney added: 'All of that will be worked out and we'll address that with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority, and we're talking to the United Kingdom government about these questions, but it's important that we have a secure policing operation. 'It's also important that members of the public who wish to express their point of view, who want to protest about the visit or about other issues, are able to go about their exercise of their democratic right to protest. That's exactly what they've been able to do since Friday, and that's the way it should be.'
