Robert Hawkins

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@JuliaHB1 Please point out which aspect of the policy introduces/retains an 'open border'?

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@thelouisajordan @AlphaAligator @PolitlcsUK Problem is family homes are more likely to be higher council tax bands. They probably need the payment just as much given how expensive raising a family is but are punished for living in a bigger house.

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@X70Gen @andyburnham So just give Ukraine away to Russia, that your solution?

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@RickS722908 @grantshapps One country illegally invaded the other. Pretty simple. As soon as that country stops the illegal invasion there'll be peace. Rewarding or acknowledging illegal invasion in any way will simply encourage it to happen again.

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@TheNorfolkLion How about we wait for the police to conclude their investigation (as is their job), instead of jumping to conclusions when we don't have all the facts, unless you somehow know so much more than the police

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@KevinASchofield @DisabledRebel @Sillyshib About the fact that vetting had recommended not to grant clearance, yes. He was obviously told at the time that Foreign Office had decided to grant clearance, just without any further details (as per regulations). Whether this is the right way to do things is a separate matter

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@DisabledRebel @KevinASchofield @Sillyshib Yeah tbf this shows the system needs reform. Normally they're vetting career civil servants/diplomats so it's not usually a problem but clearly it fell apart when trying to appoint someone already v high profile.

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@DisabledRebel @KevinASchofield @Sillyshib No cause the final decision on yes or no rested with the dept security team. The vetting team (who are separate) advised no but the dept decided not to follow this recommendation (as they're technically allowed). When they decided yes, this is when they told starmer.

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@loverlyliza @alexwickham Fair enough

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@loverlyliza @alexwickham No the point is Starmer wasn't told about any concerns because that's what the rules say. He was only told that mandelson had been granted clearance. Technically everyone did the job they were supposed to, it's vetting system that seems to have failed and probably needs reform

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@loverlyliza @alexwickham It's literally the agreed rules around vetting. The whole point of it is that nobody outside the dpt security team, and perm sec on very rare occasions, should know details other than pass/fail. Don't blame Olly Robbins for just following the rules.

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@mullen_kirstie @grantshapps Because Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are dying every day for our safety and safety of Europe. Their actions ensure British troops aren't fighting a war themselves. Our sacrifice isn't an easy one given the current economic climate but it's a lot less than what Ukraine gives.

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@FrankTheBadger @_HenryBolton Not really a problem if Magyar was so overwhelmingly voted in by the Hungarian people in a democratic election though?

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@guyhamilton2103 @trussliz Ideally not Westminster politicians, as that would just politicise the police

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@TonyWard867811 @trussliz 1) what's going to stop MPs from firing police chiefs from forces involved in investigating those MPs (i.e. politicisation of the police)?
2) mayors are directly elected by the voters in their region, what right would mps have to go against that mandate?

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@JoshuaRystedt @Mike_Pence Erm, Ukraine should be run by Ukrainians, end of story. Just giving away countries to bullies because you can't be bothered to help isn't setting a particularly good precedent

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@JV_Hund @Anna_Soubry Given how much our economy has suffered because of Brexit, maybe they were actually looking out for our interests

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@Eds_Tweets_ @Euro_toff @TiceRichard Oh so cause the fascist regimes have only been responsible for 10s of millions JD deaths they're fine? All extremes are as evil as each other, don't try and normalise any of them.

[Robert Hawkins @robalexhawk]

@MarlboroughOf @LordAshcroft So your great uncle would support appeasing a dictator at the expense of a European nation's sovereignty and territory?