Lord Polak accuses Foreign Office of being ‘quick to condemn but slow to act’ on Iran
Government minister appears to admit rapid change of UK prime ministers has impacted on ability to take swift action over abuses of women in Iran
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Conservative peer Lord Polak has accused the foreign office of being “quick to speak and condemn” the Iranian regime “but so slow to take meaningful action.”
But responding in the House of Lords, a government minister appeared to suggest a succession of UK prime minister’s had impacted on the ability to make swifter decisions.
The Conservative Friends of Israel group’s honorary president spoke out again in the Lords, two weeks after first raising the UK government’s failure to proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
He queried also why the UK had not taken a lead at the United Nations to ensure that Iran was immediately suspended and removed as a member of the Commission on the Status of Women. (CSW).
Polak, who was blacklisted by Tehran in their most recent sanctions list, told Lords:”I now add a third question: why, two weeks later, has the FCDO (foreign commonwealth and development office) not taken any action?
“Why are we quick to speak and condemn, but oh so slow to take meaningful action?”
Responding for the government, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said:”On his first question, on the IRGC, of course it is a despicable organisation and we have continued to see that that is the case.
“Of course, I know the strength of feeling in your Lordships’ House and, as I cannot speak specifically to any future proscription, I note the strength of feeling, which very much reflects my own personal views in this respect.
“On the issue of the CSW, I apologise—that is something that the FCDO has specifically led on.
“I assure my noble friend that in the past two weeks—how can I put it?—a change has yet again been part of government, and we have seen a new Prime Minister.
“Nevertheless, I assure my noble friend that on the CSW I directed officials immediately, and we are working very closely, hand in glove, with the United States and other partners to ensure the removal of Iran from the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
“It cannot be right that Iran continues to be part of that body.”
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