Peter Ricketts
@LordRickettsP
Followers
27K
Following
3K
Media
417
Statuses
8K
Former diplomat, Chair @LordsEUCom, Vice-Chair @RUSI_org, Special Envoy for loan of Bayeux Tapestry, Hon Pres Normandy Memorial Trust. Views strictly my own!
Joined February 2016
Thrilled to be the UK Special Envoy for the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to @britishmuseum, and of treasures from their collection to France. The first time this unique artwork has been back to Britain since it was embroidered here almost 1,000 years ago! /
26
53
258
Glad to help!.
"That's going to be a humongous challenge.". The Bayeux Tapestry is returning to the UK more than 900 years after its creation. @amolrajan asks the British Museum's chair of trustees, George Osborne, about the logistics of bringing it over. #R4Today.
0
2
12
In return @britishmuseum will lend some of their most precious treasures including the Sutton Hoo hoard and many of the Lewis chessmen. Cultural diplomacy in action. The Tapestry will be on show Sept 26 to May 27. Not to be missed!
2
3
31
Probably made in Canterbury in the decade after 1066, the work brings vividly to life not just the battle of Hastings, but daily life: what people wore, how they cooked, their ships and buildings. It speaks directly to children since it’s like reading a 70 metre comic strip. 2/
2
9
36
It was a powerful and heartfelt speech, not as high-flown as some he has given, but urgent and passionate, with some deft touches of humour. And it got a very positive response in the room, frequently interrupted by applause.
President Macron: "We will never accept the theory that might is right. The Europeans will never abandon Ukraine, never."
2
34
157
There’ll be plenty of policy as well at the Summit on 10 July: defence cooperation (including the role of our nuclear deterrents in a Europe taking more responsibility for its defence), Middle East, China, migration and more. There may be a Trump-shaped elephant around as well!.
3
3
8
This first French SV for 17 years and first by a European leader since Brexit is full of symbolism, and a chance to celebrate the deeper ties which endure below the headlines: history (there’s plenty between our old nations) culture, science, sport, family ties. 2/.
1
3
15
Looking forward to hearing @EmmanuelMacron address Parliament at 1600. He’s a master at finding the words for the occasion (remember his tribute to the late Queen?). A State Visit is more than pageantry: it’s an occasion to strengthen the foundations of 🇫🇷🇬🇧friendship 1/
2
5
27
Thanks for quoting me @PedderSophie and for this excellent curtain-raiser!.
Emmanuel Macron will beat Donald Trump to a state visit to the U.K. next week. The relationship between France and the U.K. hasn’t been this close and constructive for nearly a decade .🇫🇷🇬🇧. @LordRickettsP @Mij_Europe .
2
2
9
RT @LordsEUCom: Our Chair @LordRickettsP spoke at the COSAC meeting of chairs of European Affairs committees in Copenhagen today, highlight….
0
3
0
Good to be in Copenhagen for the first parliamentary meeting of the Danish EU Presidency @eu2025dk. Meeting in the Folketing carries strong echoes of Borgen, though our proceedings may not be quite so dramatic!
0
1
16
Today at 3.30 @LordsEUCom will scrutinise @NickTorfaen and @SDoughtyMP on the prospects for UK-EU relations. How far and fast will these improve as a result of the 19 May Summit? Promises to be interesting! Watch live here 👇
0
5
8
This from @philipstephens makes a strong case for Starmer’s new realpolitik approach to defence but adds the importance of soft power and principles.
1
5
10
There’s some exceptional journalism in @FT today. In this long read from @fromTGA I particularly liked the insight that the structural challenge for Europe is that the policies it needs are increasingly European but the politics are national. And….
Where is Europe in this Year 4 of a new historical era? Will liberal or anti-liberal Europe prevail? What will become of the Zeitenwende? We have until 2029 to shape the answers. My weekend essay for the @FT @ftweekend (£, I'm afraid)
3
9
25
RT @britishmemorial: We salute The Greatest Generation. ❤️🇬🇧.#ArmedForcesDay2025 #ArmedForcesDay . 📷 British Normandy Memorial / Florence M….
0
105
0
Good summary. In short it will restore a capability the UK had in the Cold War, but this time with US-owned weapons. It would still involve manned aircraft having to run the gauntlet of enemy air defences to reach the target and drop their bombs directly over it.
How the UK’s F-35A tactical nuclear capability will work. It won’t be independent like the at-sea deterrent. It will be part of the Nato mission. A decision to use the bombs would need consent from the US, because it will use the US’s B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs, plus.
0
1
6
After a rollercoaster 24 hours, there is a window of opportunity in the ME but Tehran has momentous decisions to take on future strategy. And the NATO summit kicks off with Allies poised to pledge a Trump-pleasing 5% on defence spending. Plenty to discuss @BBCBreakfast at 0830!.
1
1
4
Article 5 of the NATO Treaty is very clear: ‘The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. ’. Iranian attacks on US bases in the Middle East are not in scope.
Following Iran’s attack on a US base in Qatar, this legal question about the UK’s NATO obligation to stand by and help the US militarily is more than academic.
11
46
173
Quite so.
Trump claims that Iran gave America “early notice”. I don’t think anyone has ever been thanked before for conducting a ballistic missile strike politely.
0
1
9