17/05/2011
Fox Challenges PM On Overseas Aid
UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox has challenged the Prime Minister's plans to enshrine in law the Government's spending pledge on overseas aid.
According to the Times, Dr Fox challenged the plan in a letter to David Cameron which was leaked to the paper.
In the letter, Dr Fox argued that creating a statutory requirement to spend 0.7% on overseas aid from 2013 could leave the Government open to legal challenges, as well as affect its ability to influence where and how the money was spent.
The letter said that Dr Fox had discussed the issue both with international Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell and Foreign Secretary William Hague, but stressed that he could not support the proposal in its current form.
He said: "The bill could limit HMG's (Her Majesty's Government) ability to change its mind about the pace at which it reaches the target in order to direct more resources toward other activities or programmes rather than aid."
A source close to Dr Fox reportedly told the Times that the Defence Secretary was not opposed to the level of the target, but "simply how best to reflect this in law".
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We are fully committed to enacting the 0.7% commitment into law, in line with the Coalition agreement."
(KMcA/BMcC)
According to the Times, Dr Fox challenged the plan in a letter to David Cameron which was leaked to the paper.
In the letter, Dr Fox argued that creating a statutory requirement to spend 0.7% on overseas aid from 2013 could leave the Government open to legal challenges, as well as affect its ability to influence where and how the money was spent.
The letter said that Dr Fox had discussed the issue both with international Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell and Foreign Secretary William Hague, but stressed that he could not support the proposal in its current form.
He said: "The bill could limit HMG's (Her Majesty's Government) ability to change its mind about the pace at which it reaches the target in order to direct more resources toward other activities or programmes rather than aid."
A source close to Dr Fox reportedly told the Times that the Defence Secretary was not opposed to the level of the target, but "simply how best to reflect this in law".
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We are fully committed to enacting the 0.7% commitment into law, in line with the Coalition agreement."
(KMcA/BMcC)
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18 October 2011
Fox 'Broke Ministerial Code' Report Will Say
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Fox 'Broke Ministerial Code' Report Will Say
A Government report is expected to find that former Defence Secretary Liam Fox broke the Ministerial Code in his dealings with his friend Adam Werritty, However, the report, being compiled by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, is also expected to claim Mr Fox did not gain financially from the arrangements or his controversial dealings and trips t
17 October 2011
Cabinet Shake Up After Fox Resignation
A number of new appointments to the Cabinet have been announced following the resignation of Dr Liam Fox last week. Philip Hammond, who was Secretary of State for Transport will now replace Dr Fox as Secretary of State for Defence. The Essex born Mr Hammond was elected to the House of Commons in 1997 and has held a number of shadow port folios.
Cabinet Shake Up After Fox Resignation
A number of new appointments to the Cabinet have been announced following the resignation of Dr Liam Fox last week. Philip Hammond, who was Secretary of State for Transport will now replace Dr Fox as Secretary of State for Defence. The Essex born Mr Hammond was elected to the House of Commons in 1997 and has held a number of shadow port folios.
14 October 2011
Fox Pressurised Over Undeclared US Dinner
The week of increasingly difficult disclosures about the Defence Secretary and his associate continues as new revelations about an undeclared dinner bash in the US emerge on Friday.
Fox Pressurised Over Undeclared US Dinner
The week of increasingly difficult disclosures about the Defence Secretary and his associate continues as new revelations about an undeclared dinner bash in the US emerge on Friday.
13 September 2012
Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox Calls For Radical Tax Cuts
The government should cut taxes in an effort to stimulate economic growth, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said. Fox used an interview in the Time newspaper to call for capital gains tax to be suspended for three years. He also added that employment laws should be reformed, making it easier to hire and fire employees.
Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox Calls For Radical Tax Cuts
The government should cut taxes in an effort to stimulate economic growth, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said. Fox used an interview in the Time newspaper to call for capital gains tax to be suspended for three years. He also added that employment laws should be reformed, making it easier to hire and fire employees.
24 May 2010
Hague 'No Date To Quit' Afghanistan
Foreign Secretary William Hague has refused to set a date for UK troop withdrawal.
Hague 'No Date To Quit' Afghanistan
Foreign Secretary William Hague has refused to set a date for UK troop withdrawal.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
