Watch again: David Cameron questioned by foreign affairs committee

Watch again as David Cameron faced questions from the Foreign Affairs committee for the first time in his new role as foreign secretary on Tuesday, 9 January.

The former prime minister appeared before the committee at Portcullis House, who explored Lord Cameron’s approach to his new role, his broader vision and strategy for the UK’s foreign policy, and scrutinise his long-term priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

It comes after Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell warned that the risk of famine in Gaza is "stark" amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Mr Mitchell said: “UK ministers are lobbying the government of Israel hard and regularly to allow more aid in and reduce the numerous constraints that are hindering many aspects of our and others’ efforts to help Gazan civilians.

“Nevertheless the risk of famine is stark and the foreign secretary and other ministers throughout the Government are pushing the need to address this with the Israeli government."

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[blackrainbow]

This is just crazy. He's the leader of that department, says he asks the questions to the lawyers, but cannot give the answers or even confirm he has been given any answers. If he isn't accountable, who the hell is?

[BDdiva]

Are they really doing their job at all? How come they can’t even answer how many british nationals brought back?
It’s sickening to see how they refuse to call Israel an apartheid state or has occupied Gaza knowing the british law already does so. Wtf is happening in this country and how come are we allowing this?

[ahmzzyyy]

This was a tough watch....how do these people sleep at night? lie after lie after lie.

[GlobalMindSync]

This is so crazy to see what has the world come to ?! Protect this lady at all costs

[iansangster]

Alicia Kearns is an excellent Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. She certainly made Cameron squirm.

[claranordblom]

I think the ultimate question that should have been pursued here with the secretary is:
How can the west replace Israel as its military base in the Middle East!? That at would answer all the questions!

[shafatgangoo]

Thanks @independant for posting this.
No straight answers on voilation of international humanitarain law.
Chair did great job,
@Brendan O'Hara put him in a spot by persisting with his amazing line of questions.

[Ali]

Whenever someone asks almost all western politicians about the israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, longest and most brutal “israeli” occupation of Palestine, genocide against Gazans committed by “israel” etc. they always want to seek a “legal advice” to give an answer. However, the minute someone asks them about Palestinian resistance to brutal occupation and apartheid, they are so quick to give an answer; without resorting to “legal advice.”
Hypocrisy to the bones!

[kerrynewnham]

Disgraceful, feels above accountability, feels Israel is above accountability and destroys any credibility U.K. has on world stage on human rights. You don’t let your friend commit disproportionate and cruel barbaric acts on a hostile people, including children, because an enemy part of that people brutally assaulted them just because they’re your friend and because you have a skewed vision of world order you wish to maintain. Laws are laws. He thinks cutting off water is bad but doesn’t seem able to state whether cutting off water to an entire people for weeks, is against international law, whilst stating he consults lawyers all the time.

[claranordblom]

Uk security very much depends and would be greatly enhanced by its ability to achieve diplomatic political solutions with other countries. The world hopes(?!)

[iansangster]

Nice to see Cameron being skewered over the Gaza war.

[claranordblom]

About the issue of switching the water on:
Any body .. in fact the whole world listening to this panel would be speechless at the way it has been handled!! If - just for a thought experiment: if today Israel was put through the ordeal of been deprived of water .. what would the reaction be on this panel???

[claranordblom]

China is not incredibly aggressive - as you say- if the U K. Is willing to apply diplomacy.. which is non existent at the moment!?

[DaniMaulana-gy]

If you ask colonialists what answer can you expect?

[claranordblom]

Correction: all the Arab states would like to see a true sovereign state of Palestine.. and saying that they would like to see a cease fire is short sighted.

[sosoo]

"The main thing about Cameron is that he smacks of failure in every pore. Brexit, Libya, the economy: all of the problems that are faced in public services were aggravated by years of austerity." John Gray

[umarjanyaufarouq]

He knows the truth but afraid to say it, because he is afraid of Jewish not to vote him for his office.

[claranordblom]

On the question as to whether it is for the government to decide.. and the breach of humanitarian law:
And this should be said as the world is watching:
I am so glad - looking back at World War II history: that governments and nations interfered in the situation of saving the innocent Jewish people and ended their suffering-from under the Nazis ..
I wish the world would have the same clear conscious today regarding ending the suffering of innocent Palestinians.
The panel here is not so clear!

[felipe-vibor]

This is just colonialism while working from home

[richardmutch]

I'll never trust an English politician again