Tribute to work of security services
● A RUNCORN MP has paid tribute to security services which have foiled a dozen terrorist plots on the UK since 2013.
Graham Evans spoke to international development secretary Priti Patel in the House Of Commons during an update on measures to counter Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
Ms Patel earlier told the Commons that retaking Mosul by the Iraqi Government is a ‘body blow’ to Daesh, but warned it will not be an ‘easy fight’.
She said: “It will be tough to retake the city, tougher to rebuild it after three years of Daesh rule and tougher still to win back the trust of the population.
“Since the House was last updated in November, Iraqi forces have made significant progress against Daesh in Mosul, with substantial support from coalition aircraft including those of the Royal Air Force.
“We should pay tribute to the skills and tenacity demonstrated by the Iraqi security forces in clearing Daesh from east Mosul, and to their commitment to protecting civilians.
“The liberated community of east Mosul have testified daily to the horror and the sheer brutality that they have experienced.”
Ms Patel told the Commons that Daesh has been using human shields and snipers to kill civilians.
However, regarding Syria and the sixth anniversary of the civil war affecting the country, the Government secretary said that it is clear there is ‘no military solution’ to the situation and that a ‘sustainable political settlement’ is needed to end the fighting.
Mr Evans said that he welcomed Ms Patel’s statement and the work which her department does on behalf of the British people.
He said: “However, the UK is under severe threat of Islamic terrorist attacks, so will she join me in paying tribute to those security services that help to keep us safe and that have foiled 12 terrorist plots since September 2013?”
Ms Patel said Mr Evans is ‘absolutely right’ and that the UK is protected by ‘amazing individuals’. ●
HALTON MP Derek Twigg has sought answers over NATO’s capability to deal with ‘any threat from Russia in the Baltics and elsewhere’.
Mr Twigg asked Defence Secretary Michael Fallon whether he had taken part in discussions on the matter while in the US.
Mr Fallon responded that 2017 is the year when NATO ‘is deploying its enhanced forward presence’ in Eastern Europe.
The questions follow a prolonged period of concern over Russian action in eastern Europe, including the annexation of Crimea and eastern Ukraine, an alleged assassination attempt on the Prime Minister of Montenegro and sending troops into the Georgian breaka- ● Prime Minister Theresa May said Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is due to visit Russia to set out concerns over reports of interference in Montenegro way republic of South Ossetia in 2008 and allegedly interfering in the 2016 US election.
Russia argues that it is not an aggressor and that some western nations hold that mantle having pursued what it portrays as disastrous military campaigns in the Middle East and US military forces being stationed around the world.
Prime Minister Theresa May said on March 14 that Mr Fallon is due to visit Russia in coming weeks where he will ‘set out our concerns about reports of Russian interference in the affairs of the government of Montenegro’.
She said she has also called on the European Council to do more to tackle Russian disinformation.
In reply to Mr Twigg, Mr Fallon said: “I am proud that Britain is leading that deployment in Estonia.
“The first wave of our troops will leave for Estonia this week, and we will also be deploying in Poland and Romania. The best way to reassure our NATO allies and to deter any Russian aggression is for NATO to stand up.”