Written questions by Dewhirst.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the British Embassy corresponded with Global Counsel on the Prime Minister's visit to Palantir's headquarters in Washington DC on 27 February 2025.

No such correspondence has been identified.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 28 April 2026 to Question HL16533 on Treaties: Parliamentary Scrutiny, whether any Memorandums of Understanding and other non-legally binding

Non-Legally Binding Instruments such as Memorandums of Understanding can cover a wide range of topics and are drawn to the attention of Parliament or otherwise published where appropriate. However, in some cases, the content or subject matter may be sensi...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has a policy on engagement with the Awami League.

The UK engages with a broad range of stakeholders in Bangladesh, including political parties, civil society and international partners, in support of democratic processes, human rights and the rule of law. We continue to encourage all political actors in ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2025, to Question 86672, on Palantir, whether Officials from the UK Embassy in Washington communicated with Global Counsel over the visit.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether nominated three referees were nominated as part of the vetting process for Lord Mandelson.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson returned his (a) laptop, (b) iPhone and (c) iPad after he left the (i) Head of Mission role and (ii) civil service.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March to question 120357.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March 2026, page 107, what confidential undertakings were agreed.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was paid for unused annual leave when he left the Civil Service, in addition to the exit payment.

No.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the Diplomatic Service’s policies are regarding intimate relationships between colleagues; whether (a) junior and (b) senior civil servants are permitted to enter into sexual relationships with co-workers; what requirements exist to declare such relationships where there is a reporting line or managerial responsibility; and what guidance is issued under the diplomatic service code regarding potential conflicts of interest arising from workplace relationships.

All Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff are subject to the Civil Service Code. It is for their managers to determine whether an individual's conduct meets, or falls short of, the standards of behaviour and integrity set out in the Code, and to put appropriate arrangements in place when a personal relationship could create a real or perceived conflict of interest.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Ministers have received any coaching in foreign languages funded by the department since July 2024.

Since July 2024 one minister has received coaching in a foreign language funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department provides funding for the Global Equality Fund.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not provide funding for the Global Equality Fund, which ceased operations in 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department provides funding for the Equality Fund.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not provide funding for the Global Equality Fund, which ceased operations in 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110416 on Government Departments: Publicity, whether there are plans for HM Government Communications Centre to remove the HM reference in its public branding.

No.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Signal Group has undertaken work for the UK Government's Embassy in the United States.

The British Embassy in Washington engages on a regular basis with a wide range of organisations and partners across the United States in order to advance UK interests and the wider UK-US relationship.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43485 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Flags, whether the (a) transgender, (b) asexual and (c) bisexual flag was flown in 2025.

On Stonewall, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 22 April 2025 to Question 44591. On his other question, as far as I am aware, no such flags were flown by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has held meetings with the Grandview Institution in 2025.

Details of ministerial meetings with external individuals and organisations are routinely published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on a quarterly basis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has provided funding to Stonewall in 2025-26.

On Stonewall, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 22 April 2025 to Question 44591. On his other question, as far as I am aware, no such flags were flown by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to publish the Human Rights and Democracy Report for (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to my letter to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee on 6 March, in response to her letter of 23 January on this issue.This Government remains firmly committed to the protection and promotion of human rights globally, and to reporting transparently on our actions. We are currently considering the most appropriate form of future reporting on our human rights work.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the International women and girls strategy 2023 to 2030 remains government policy; and whether she plans to publish an updated strategy.

The Foreign Secretary has made clear that advancing the rights and safety of women and girls around the world will be a top priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the coming years. We are refreshing our international strategic approach on Women and Girls and will set this out in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether changes have been made to the number and location of portraits of (a) Queen Elizabeth II and (b) King Charles III within her Department’s HQ since 4 July 2024.

The official portrait of His Majesty The King resides in the reception area of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office headquarters. On portraits that are part of the Government Art Collection, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 May 2025 in response to Question 52692.