2026 January 20

This Bill will implement in UK law certain provisions of the treaty signed in May 2025 between the UK and Mauritius agreeing the status and future of the Chagos Archipelago, including the joint US–UK military base on Diego Garcia (the archipelago’s largest island). The UK currently administers the Chagos Archipelago as the British Indian Ocean

As a member of the Panel of Chairs, I chaired 2 debates in the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall on 20 January 2026 from 4pm. The debates were: 1. That this House has considered cultural opportunities in County Durham: moved by Mary Kelly Foy MP, it was responded to by The Vice-Chamberlain of His Majesty’s Household,

The Bill returned to the Commons from the Lords. It will make sentencing reforms in line with the recommendations made by the Independent Sentencing Review in May 2025. Chapter Five of the review -‘Taking a victim-centred approach’ recommended that the Government continues the provision of free copies of judge’s sentencing remarks to victims of Rape