Ellie Chowns MP responds to David Lammy’s statement on UK arms export licences

Responding to David Lammy’s statement to the Commons in which he said that the UK is to suspend 30 arms export licences to Israel after a review found a “clear risk” that UK arms may be used in serious violation of humanitarian law, Ellie Chowns MP said:

“Green MPs have long called for a suspension of arms exports to Israel. The Foreign Secretary’s announcement today is therefore a welcome and significant step, but leaves vital questions unanswered.

“Primarily, why are so many licences exempt from this suspension? I am very concerned that the Government is not consistently applying the principle that there is a clear risk of UK licensed weapons being used in breach of international humanitarian law. The justification for continuing to licence F-35s is no justification at all. There is an ongoing and clear risk and we urge the Foreign Secretary to look again and suspend these licenses.

“If, as he says, the Foreign Secretary takes seriously the risk of UK licensed weapons being used in breach of international humanitarian law, he must go further and suspend all export licences.”