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! /

Congratulations Ambassador Baumann! 🇩🇪🇬🇧

My thoughts on the China spy case are in the first 10 minutes here. I found the Matt Collins witness statements totally professional and a powerful basis for a prosecution. There was no sign of the Gov’t trying to collapse the case. Big questions for CPS.

If you are settling down with a coffee at 1100, have a listen @BBCRadio4 The Westminster Hour, where @GeorgeWParker Bns Helena Kennedy and I discuss the ins and outs of the disappearing China spy case.

The CPS felt this was strong enough to launch the prosecution in April 2024. Why did they come back to Collins twice in 2025, putting him in the difficult position of explaining the previous Govt’s policy? He went as far as he c’d, and didn’t resile from his earlier statement.

It’s striking what a professional job Matt Collins did in these witness statements. The first describes in forensic detail the threat from Chinese intelligence operations and how this was ‘prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state’. 1/2

It’s time to put the spotlight back on Russia’s relentless assault on #Ukraine. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada spoke powerfully to UK parliamentarians about the threat Russia poses to all European states. Next to him, to reinforce the message, was a Shahed 136 killer drone.

The first time since 1998 that there have been three inward State Visits in one year. Royal soft power in action!

A day of joy and hope. But unless the international community moves very fast in getting a security presence on the ground in Gaza, the situation could descend into gangland violence: the last thing the people of Gaza need. Welcome that the summit in Egypt happens today as well.

"The second phase starts today." Former National Security Adviser Lord Peter Ricketts tells @SkyYaldaHakim while it's a day to celebrate the release of hostages, there's also a narrow window to ensure the ceasefire lasts. Follow live 🔗 https://t.co/C301Bd67jE 📺 Sky 501

'We're politicians fleeing France to avoid being made prime minister' My latest cartoon for tomorrow's @Telegraph Buy a print of my cartoons at https://t.co/ILFJjPmKa5 Original artwork from https://t.co/bVPAkgEAU6

What is new is the length of the conflict and scale of the destruction. That may (may) motivate both sides to turn away from violence and work for peace. But there are only two longer-term solutions: endless Israeli occupation or two states. I don’t see a third way.

The Trump vision now is ‘a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood’. Can’t get more Oslo than that. And in the meantime the plan is for Palestinian autonomy under international supervision while Israeli occupation continues. All of that is same old 2/3

Unusually I disagree with this ⁦@TheEconomist⁩ leader on Gaza. Trump’s plan is NOT a ‘radically different vision from the moribund approach under Oslo’. Indeed one of the most striking things about the 20 points is that they move the US towards the classic Oslo vision.1/3

Ceasefire violations are inevitable, with a deeply traumatised population and guns everywhere. Pulling back Israeli forces will leave a security vacuum until first elements of an international force can deploy. Vital that all sides cooperate to get through these edgy first weeks.

The ceasefire/hostage release deal finally happened when Trump used the full weight of US power to mobilise Arab pressure on Hamas and get Netanyahu over the line. But it will take sustained engagement by Trump personally (not his strong point) to avoid the deal unravelling 1/2

As I said in talking with @SkyYaldaHakim Trump’s continued active engagement will be vital if Netanyahu is not to backtrack on next steps once the hostages are out. There will be months of fraught diplomacy to achieve the disarming of Hamas, and a new governance/security setup.

After two years of death and destruction, a huge relief and a moment of hope for everyone on both sides who have suffered. But it is fragile. Vital not to lose momentum Trump has created, and put the planning done by European/Arab states on stabilising the ceasefire to good use.

I enjoyed talking to @adamboultonTABB about Blair’s dogged efforts since 1998 to promote an Israel-Palestine settlement. Views will differ on whether his Iraq decisions sh’d disqualify him from a role on Gaza. But he would bring unrivalled experience and contacts to the task.

The gamechanger has been Trump throwing all his weight behind getting a deal, including serious pressure on Netanyahu. And apparently listening to advice eg from Gulf leaders. What better way to mark second anniversary of the appalling 7 October attack than with a ceasfire? End.

Much better to work on all this with a ceasefire in place. In practice, once Hamas have given back the hostages their leverage will be much less. European/Arab focus sh’d now be on continuing to influence US handling. Collectively, we must not let this opportunity pass. 5/6