Speeches by Barker.

“Many happy returns to your son.”

“Order. May I bring the shadow Minister back to the issue of play, please?”

“Before I call the next speaker, I suggest an informal time limit of four minutes per speaker, because of the popularity of this important debate. I hope that Members will help each other out by keeping speeches to four minutes, please.”

“Order. I ask the shadow Minister to bring his remarks back to the petition, please.”

“I pay tribute to the families, some of whom are in the Public Gallery; to Elkan Abrahamson and Pete Weatherby KC, who have done phenomenal work for the past 37 years; and of course, to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool West Derby (Ian Byrne), and to the Minister for the work that she has done on this. While I am …”

“As the Minister alluded to, British taxpayers have witnessed atrocities committed by Israeli authorities in Gaza and then acted by donating to NGOs that are ordinarily able to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid there. However, Israeli authorities continue to impede full humanitarian access, leaving aid paid for by th…”

“Compliance with international law is not an either/or, and I am extremely concerned that the action of the United States shows utter disdain for international law and leaves enormous uncertainty over the future of Venezuela. It removes a leader whose rule was corrupt and cruel, but rather than celebrating, many people …”

“It is entirely up to you.”

“Did you say that you were interim chair for seven months, Mr Simms?”

“Thank you for being here this morning, gentlemen. On 19 March, by your account, you asked the PHSO to delay laying its report before Parliament. Why did you wish to prevent that report from being laid before Parliament? What was your thought process?”

“On a point of clarity, you said that you were appointed midway into this; just remind us of your appointment date, please.”

“The Speaker’s Counsel pointed out that the proper mechanism to challenge a report with which you disagree is through a political process and PACAC. You have spoken to this quite a bit, but is there anything else that you wish to add about why you did not think that was sufficient? I just want to make sure that you have…”

“Do you appreciate that whether contempt has been committed or not is a matter for the House, rather than you?”

“The Charity Commission has argued that it is challenging the lawfulness of the recommendations. What legal advice have you taken on the matter? Can you share that with us?”

“Do you accept that the effect of your action would have been to prevent the House from receiving information from a statutory body that sought to provide it? This follows on from Mr Snell’s question earlier.”

“In your letter on 4 July to Speaker’s Counsel, Mr Rechtman writes that your conduct cannot amount to contempt of Parliament. What internal discussions took place when the possibility that you may be committing contempt was raised with you?”

“The Charity Commission is continuing with its claim. If the court were to grant permission for the case to proceed, what action would you take?”

“You have been very clear on that, so thank you. Mr Rechtman, is there anything you would like to add?”

“Do you have anything to add, Mr Simms?”

“Thank you.”