My Intervention on the Sudan Ministerial Statement

I was one of the MPs who pressed Ministers to take more urgent action to get UK nationals out of Sudan where they wished to leave. I am glad they are now running some flights. The FCO needs to do all it can to contact and support UK people who are in Sudan against their wishes. They deserve our full attention and help.

John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con):

The Government advise nationals in difficulties to stay indoors, but what if they run out of food, what if there is no power, water or other utilities, or what if there is fire in the local area? What is the advice and message of hope for them then?

Mr Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State for Development and Africa:

My right hon. Friend makes an extremely good point. The only advice that we can give through the Foreign Office—the only advice—is to stay indoors, because of all the reasons that I have given during the statement about the jeopardy on the streets outside. We have changed the advice today to say that although we think that people should undoubtedly remain indoors if they can, if they do not, it is at their own risk. But they must make their decisions on the ground. Of course, there are those who know the situation around where they live extremely well and may well be able to exercise their judgment, but they do so at their own risk.