Hilary Benn MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, commenting on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee report, ‘Challenges facing the FCO in the 2015 Spending Review’, said:

“Britain’s voice in the world is a reflection not only of the size of our economy, but also the moral leadership we demonstrate on human rights. We must continue to urge others to respect the rule of law and the freedoms and rights that every human being is entitled to.

“The FCO should continue to make human rights a priority because anything else would diminish our standing in the world at a time when problems like terrorism, climate change and economic inequality require cooperation between nations.”