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India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Ravi Shankar Prasad led all-party delegation briefs UK minister on Operation Sindoor and India's fight against terrorism
London [UK], June 3 (ANI): The all-party Indian delegation, led by BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, met UK Minister for Citizenship and Migration and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra at the UK Parliament to brief her on Operation Sindoor and reaffirm India's strong commitment to fighting terrorism. The delegation also held discussions with key UK thought leaders on the global threat of terrorism, its social impact, and the growing issue of radicalisation. Ravi Shankar Prasad shared a post on X after the meeting. He wrote, 'Alongside my colleagues from the all-party delegation, I met with Minister for Citizenship and Migration, and Minister for Equalities @SeemaMalhotra1 at @UKParliament. We briefed her on #OperationSindoor and India's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism. Furthermore, we engaged with prominent UK thought leaders to discuss the global threat of terrorism, its far-reaching social implications, and the correlated rise of radicalisation.' Meanwhile, following a meeting with the delegation yesterday, the Conservative Party's Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, expressed her satisfaction with the discussions. She noted that 'significant areas of discussion were covered,' underlining the shared commitment to combating terrorism, enhancing UK-India defence and security cooperation, deepening economic ties, and strengthening the enduring partnership between the two nations. In her X post, Patel wrote, 'A pleasure to meet with a cross-party delegation of senior Indian MPs @HCI_London.' The High Commission of India in London also shared a picture of the meeting, stating that the delegation underscored India's firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism and highlighted how #OperationSindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in this ongoing effort. The Indian delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, includes BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran. Earlier, the all-party delegation interacted with the Indian diaspora at India House in London, reaffirming India's united stance and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms. This diplomatic outreach follows Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which claimed 26 lives. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. As part of this initiative, seven multi-party delegations are visiting countries worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, the UK, France, Germany, the EU, Italy, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, the UAE, Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Russia, Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, and South Africa. These delegations aim to inform international partners about India's response to terrorism and its broader fight against cross-border terror threats. (ANI)
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Nicola Sturgeon and MSPs lobbied minister over rent cap removal
The former FM was among several SNP politicians who expressed concern over the policy. Nicola Sturgeon lobbied the Scottish Government against its controversial decision to remove rent control protections for hundreds of thousands of tenants. Documents obtained by the Sunday Mail show the former First Minister was among five senior party figures who wrote to housing minister Paul McLennan about their concerns months before the cap on bill increases was abolished. A terrified expectant mother was among members of the public who also contacted McLennan but her appeal fell on deaf ears with the policy being brought in on April 1. And in a letter to McLennan, Sturgeon said she understood that temporary rent controls could not last forever but said: 'I share the fear of extremely high rent increases taking effect when the protection ends. 'It seems to me that a transitional approach is needed.' Public finance minister Ivan McKee said the policy was causing constituents 'significant anxiety' and said: 'Extending it would prevent further hardship for tenants already facing rising costs.' Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said her constituents were seeing rises 'that far exceed inflation or any justified costs to landlords' and felt the government's renter's rights campaign 'does not adequately protect them'. Children and young people's minister Natalie Don-Innes and former Equalities minister Emma Roddick also wrote expressing similar concerns in February and March this year. Last month landlords were able to raise rental prices in line with what they believe is the 'market rate', having faced a cap of 12 per cent previously. Thousands of tenants have seen their housing costs soar with some fearing homelessness. The government said tenants can appeal any rises but adjudicators can set even higher increases if they see fit - which could act as a deterrent according to campaigners. But Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: 'We want to see protections brought back in until robust rent controls come into action through the Housing Bill and I will be proposing such measures in parliament. 'SNP MSPs must also press the Scottish Government to reinstate temporary protections against rip-off rents.' The Scottish Greens said the level of concern shows a need for protections to be reinstated until the Housing Bill is implemented in 2027, which the government has promised will include rent controls. We previously revealed McLennan failed to carry out any formal impact assessment of the policy prior to implementation. One concerned woman told the minister she was facing a rise of £400 a month - to £1000 - for her home and said: 'I can't afford to move as I don't have funds for a deposit and first months rent. 'I can appeal any further increase but I'm not on a fixed term contract, so not coming to any agreement will result in eviction. 'I'm due to go on maternity leave soon so I'm naturally incredibly anxious, my income is going to be significantly lower and I already struggle to make ends meet on a full time nurse salary. 'I'm worried I'm going to end up homeless.' A low-wage bookseller from Edinburgh told the minister they were 'terrified'. They wrote: 'My bills are going up, my council tax is due to go up and now this news about rent controls terrifies me. 'I work as a bookseller and am not on a very high salary. When I heard the news I literally felt sick with worry. Edinburgh is in the middle of a declared housing crisis and simply scrapping controls is deeply irresponsible and unacceptable.' A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'Protections continue to be in place against rent increases above market rent for most private tenants and they should make use of their right to a review of a rent increase. 'There is a need for longer term action on rents to ensure a fairer system for tenants – that is why we are taking forward measures in the Housing Bill to support the introduction of longer-term rent control where this is needed.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
SNP MSP accuses her party of 'broken' promises after conversion therapy ban u-turn
Emma Roddick spoke out after the SNP Government kicked a ban into the long grass. A former SNP Minister has accused her party of breaking promises to the LGBTQ+ community after shelving a ban on conversion therapy. Emma Roddick wrote that she is 'devastated' a bill outlawing the practice will not be introduced by the next Holyrood election. Conversion therapy is an attempt to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was committed to a Holyrood ban, but new FM John Swinney last week changed position to favour a UK-wide approach. A written answer to Holyrood stated: 'If this approach cannot be agreed, then we commit to publishing our own Bill in Year 1 of the next Parliamentary session." The SNP 's Out for Independence group said they were 'incredibly disappointed' a ban would not be in tomorrow's Programme for Government. Roddick, a former Equalities, Migration and Refugees Minister, has also criticised the decision. On X, she wrote: 'The SNP should be held to account - promises to the LGBTQ+ community have been broken. 'I've not heard from the FM but I'm devastated by the announcement we're not introducing a conversion practices ban this session. We must support the community, not look away from ongoing harm.' Another X user responded by saying: "As a SNP member and gay, I was hoping for more support from the leadership." Roddick replied: "Me too." The MSP also wrote: "I was convinced in 2014 by the idea we could not only do different, but better. We have been in power for most of my life. We can at least use the powers we have to do better." Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said last week: 'Scotland remains absolute in our commitment to equality, the rights of the LGBTQI + community, and ending conversion practices. 'We will continue to work with the UK government on legislation extending to Scotland, that applies across all settings and protects all ages, is trans-inclusive and does not include any exemption for consent. 'However, if we do not make progress through a collaborative approach, the Scottish Government will get on with the job of ending these harmful practices in Scotland and intends to publish its own Bill in year one of the next Parliamentary session. 'We will also continue to develop and deliver other measures to end conversion practices and support survivors.'
The National
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Tories demand John Swinney sacks SNP MSPs who backed Maggie Chapman
Green MSP Chapman faced a Conservative motion on Tuesday seeking to remove her from the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, of which she is the deputy convener, after she told a trans rights protest that the Supreme Court's decision that sex in the Equality Act 2010 is biological reflected 'bigotry, prejudice, and hatred'. The comments sparked a backlash from Scotland's legal profession, with both the Law Society and the Faculty of Advocates speaking out against Chapman. But Chapman survived the vote as three SNP MSPs – Marie McNair, Evelyn Tweed, and convener Karen Adam – and Chapman herself all voted down Tess White's motion. Now White has written to the First Minister saying he must 'show some backbone' and remove the SNP members of the committee. READ MORE: Alba leader slams 'pointless' calls to ban Kneecap from Scottish festival Swinney said Chapman's comments were wrong adding 'at no stage should we question the independence of the justiciary and the judicial system'. White said: 'John Swinney must finally show some backbone and remove the SNP members of the equalities committee who openly defied him by shamefully backing Maggie Chapman (below). 'If he fails to remove and replace them, he will be sending out the message that he has no respect for women or the rule of law. (Image: PA) 'Maggie Chapman's comments were an outrageous attack on the highest court in the land and demonstrated her utter contempt for women and girls. 'By defending the indefensible, the three SNP members have brought parliament into disrepute.' White argued the positions of the SNP MSPs are now 'untenable'. READ MORE: Labour MP pans party's broken pledges as Grangemouth refining ends After the victory in the vote, which means she will remain in post on the committee, Chapman said she was 'grateful' to have held on. "I have never questioned the court's right to make the ruling that it did. But that does not mean that I must agree with it. I don't, and I am very concerned about the impact it will have and is already having,' she said. 'I will always stand up and advocate for trans and non-binary people. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is also my job to stand up for my constituents.' White hit out at the SNP MSPs on the committee who had voted her motion down, saying that had 'put political allegiance before Parliament'. The SNP have been approached for comment.
The National
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Maggie Chapman speaks out as Tory bid to oust her from committee fails
On Tuesday, the Green member faced a Conservative motion seeking to remove her from the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, of which she is the deputy convener, over remarks about the Supreme Court. After the top UK court ruled that sex was biological under the 2010 Equality Act, Chapman told a trans rights protest that the decision reflected 'bigotry, prejudice, and hatred'. The comments sparked a backlash from Scotland's legal profession, with both the Law Society and the Faculty of Advocates speaking out against Chapman. READ MORE: John Swinney reaffirms support for trans people amid 'uncertainty and anxiety' On Tuesday, citing the faculty's intervention, the Tories sought to pass a motion which would have put Chapman's membership on the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee to a full Scottish Parliament vote. Conservative MSP Tess White moved the motion, which was backed by her fellow Tory MSP Pam Gosal as well as Labour's Paul O'Kane. However, the committee's three SNP MSPs – Marie McNair, Evelyn Tweed, and convener Karen Adam – and Chapman herself all voted it down. After the victory in the vote, which means she will remain in post on the committee, Chapman said she was 'grateful' to have held on. 'I am also very grateful to the many trans and non-binary people and allies who have been in touch with me over the last two weeks to tell me their stories,' she went on. Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman has long campaigned for trans rights (Image: PA) 'It's been devastating to hear about the exclusion and prejudice they or their loved ones have faced, and how worried they are for the future. 'The focus should not be on me, it should be on the outcomes of the ruling and the serious threat that is being posed to the rights of trans and non-binary people. "I have never questioned the court's right to make the ruling that it did. But that does not mean that I must agree with it. I don't, and I am very concerned about the impact it will have and is already having. 'Over recent years a toxic culture war has seen trans people and their loved ones being targeted and demonised by too many politicians and large parts of the media. 'I will always stand up and advocate for trans and non-binary people. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is also my job to stand up for my constituents. READ MORE: 'Careless' guidance on Supreme Court sex ruling slammed by former EHRC solicitor 'Some of my constituents are trans or non-binary. Others have trans or non-binary children, parents, siblings, friends. They deserve representation as who they are. I will not stop being a vocal trans ally.' White hit out at the SNP MSPs on the committee who had voted her motion down, saying that had 'put political allegiance before parliament'. The Tory MSP added: 'Maggie Chapman voted to save her own skin. A disgraceful outcome which sets an alarming precedent for our parliament and the rule of law.' Her colleague Gosal added: 'It is absolutely shocking that SNP MSPs voted to keep Maggie Chapman on the Equalities Committee. The Bute House Agreement may have ended a year ago, however the SNP and Greens still go hand-in-hand…'
