Liz Truss tells Foreign Affairs Committee that .....

 Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5h

Liz Truss tells Foreign Affairs Committee that she would like to see the G7 to be given a permanent footing to be made like a "secretariat"1

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hTruss says she has spoken to her Indian counterpart following their decision not to vote against Russia in the UN last week. Says there needs to be a closer economic and security relationship between UK/West and India11

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hTruss says post Cold War "the West took its eye off the ball". Cuts to defence budgets, reliance on Russian hydrocarbons, West enabled the development of Russian high-tech warfare, West service economy was integrated into Russia1

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hTruss says must strengthen Nato, including the eastern flank of Europe. Increase defence spending. "All of the free world need to rethink their economic dependence [on Russia]"2

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hRussia has "shattered the security architecture of Europe", Truss adds.1

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hTruss says the Foreign Office selling off embassy buildings in the past has been a "huge mistake"

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hTruss says Johnson will be announcing more humanitarian support this afternoon for Ukraine11

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hChris Bryant goes in studs up, asks Liz Truss whether she is ashamed by the fact the UK has only approved 50 visas to Ukrainian refugees.1

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hTruss chucks the hot potato down the line and says it's a Home Office responsibility.1

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5h💥Chris Bryant claims UK visa processing sites for Ukrainian refugees are shutting at 5pm on a Friday and remain closed over the weekend. Truss says FCO will have to speak to the Home Secretary to find out the opening hours.212

Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·5hTruss says she is willing to consider an international tribunal to hold Russia/Putin to account for "acts of aggression".1

Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·4hTruss says if the Economic Crime Bill is passed by Monday 14 March the Govt will be able to sanction the "hundreds of individuals" by Tuesday the 15th41 221

Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·4hTruss admits that the sanctions laws in the EU and Canada are "less onerous" than the UK's...she blames Lord Pannick for adding several amendments to the UK's legislation11

1Richard Vaughan@RichardVaughan1·4hTruss says we shouldn't overestimate the influence of the oligarchs in Russia. Putin operates in very close circles. Says better to initially target most heavily on Russian economy1