Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara has been named as the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson in the House of Commons.
His position as chief whip has been taken by MP for Midlothian Owen Thompson.
Mr O’Hara reacted to the news by saying there would be no change in the SNP’s ‘unequivocal and unwavering support for the people of Ukraine and the condemnation of Putin’s invasion’.
Mr O’Hara who in the recent past has condemned China for its treatment of the Uyghurs, highlighted the Myanmar regime’s brutality against the Rohingya people and been highly critical of Israel’s behaviour in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, will also sit on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
He said his priorities would be defending International human rights, promoting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and to give a voice to people and communities suffering persecution or facing genocide, and whose plight has been ignored by the international community.
He added: “I am absolutely delighted with this appointment, as I have been involved in the area of foreign affairs and international human rights since first being elected back in 2015, and I hope to take the experience of working with colleagues across parliament as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on International Law, Justice and Accountability, and the Yazidis in to my new role.
“I hope that that work and my being the current vice-chair of the APPGs on Genocide Prevention, South Sudan, the Hazaras, and Freedom of Religion or Belief will help with my select committee work.”
He added though that regardless of his parliamentary position, his “overriding priority always has been, and always will be, the welfare of my constituents who are currently facing the most awful cost of living crisis, struggling to pay their bills, put food on the table and take care of their families”.
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