Andrew Pakes

Andrew Pakes

Labour (Co-op) — Peterborough

Speaking in the House of Commons on 11 September 2025

Debate

UK Ambassador to the US: Appointment Process

Contribution

I associate myself with the comments that others have made about the disgusting crimes of Jeffrey Epstein. Twenty-four years ago today, on 9/11, I was sat in the TUC Congress as a delegate when we were made aware of what had happened. May I put on the record my tribute to the first responders and public service workers in New York who came to the aid of people? Many of them are still paying the price today. A lot has changed in politics in the past 24 years. One of the motivations that got me into public life was about the lack of accountability that we saw from senior Ministers when the Conservative party was in government, their failure to resign when scandals came up and the failure of Front Benchers to take action, so I welcome the swift action that this Government have taken now that new information has come to light. Can the Minister assure us that lessons will be learned and that, if these things arise again, this Government will uphold the highest standards and take the action needed to protect public life?

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