I’ve written to the Def Sec following today’s damning Public Accounts Cmmt findings on the Afghan data breach. The Cmmt says Govt has "not given [it] confidence sufficient action has yet been taken” to stop this happening again. We need an independent inquiry - and real accountability.

The MOD’s own figures are damning: 67% of servicewomen faced sexualised behaviour last year, and nearly a third thought about leaving as a result. Britain cannot defend itself if it cannot protect the women who serve. Time for real change and proper accountability. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🐣 We need to End the Cage Age. I was really pleased to attend Compassion in World Farming's event in Parliament, alongside my fellow Lib Dem MPs Victoria Collins and Lisa Smart. 🐔 We must act to ensure hens are kept in suitable spaces, and not in cages the size of an A4 sheet of paper.

This is really welcome news but why they ruled it out in the first place is a mystery. I will keep pressing the govt to agree to fair compensation for Waspi women who have been let down so badly. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We were promised that the proceeds from the Chelsea FC sale would support Ukraine. Instead, there are alarming signs that only a fraction is accounted for. This is unacceptable. The Government must act now, and use every legal tool available, to get this money to Ukraine where it is urgently needed.

This is a snapshot of our future that shows why the UK must step up to counter these threats. War is no longer just ships and planes, it is drones and cyber too. As we spend more on our armed forces it is critical that these new threats are recognised. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I had the honour of going to Remembrance services in Lewes and Ringmer. 2025 marks 80 years since WW2 ended in Europe. As we remember those who gave their lives for us, we must be aware of the threats to our freedom we see today as our world feels more unstable than ever. We will remember them.

Out of such a horrifying attack, it is really great to see the bravery and selflessness of ordinary British people shine through. Thank you Sam. You have put yourself in harm's way and saved lives. You deserve all the praise coming your way. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I asked the Foreign Secretary about the Russian shadow fleet that is smuggling oil and gas across the world, funding Putin's barbaric war. 76% Russian Gas is shipped on a UK owned or insured vessels. This is £45 billion worth of gas. This is huge for Russia's budget 🧵

I really welcome this. Scaling up our military strength is not just about tanks and ships. It is also about morale. Our troops could be asked to put their lives on the line to protect us. The least we can do is give them somewhere decent to live. www.bbc.com/news/article...

A horrifying incident overnight. I really hope the nine people injured make a full recovery. Good to hear that police have the suspects in custody. So concerning to hear about another serious knife-related incident. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...

We cannot expect to recruit and retain female soldiers if they do not feel safe. It is critical that the govt accelerate reforms to keep women safe in our armed forces. Jaysley Beck's tragic story should never be repeated. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

☀️ We need to transition from fossil fuels to renewables. 🏢 We don't need to put solar on prime farmland, but on dead space like rooves and car parks. 🛢️ Russia has fuelled its war with the profits from oil and gas and acted as a stark reminder of our need to transition away. #climatechange #solar

🇨🇳 I was asked about the case of the Chinese spies in Parliament on BBC Politics Live. 👉 Labour and the Tories need to stop pointing fingers and start learning lessons to protect our democracy from hostile foreign powers, like China and Russia. 🧊 This is unfortunately only the tip of the iceberg.

🌳 It was really great to visit the Lewes Climate Hub and do a Q and A for their members. I heard their concerns about: 🪧 The right to protest 🇺🇳 The UN Special Reports for women and maritime protected areas 🎣 Bottom trawling 📝 And I signed the Make Polluters Pay pledge

🐘 The Govt refuses to engage with the elephant in the room which is the Tories' botched Brexit deal. 🤷 They are obsessed with growth, but refuse to consider the biggest thing holding Britian back. 🇪🇺 This is why the @libdems.org.uk are calling for a customs union to really reset our relationship.

👧 Fantastic to visit JAGUKGROUP to celebrate the launch of their ‘Every Child, Every Opportunity’ report. Which shows the importance of the sector to families. It has been overlooked for far too long and is a crucial step in providing every child with the best start in life.

↩️ It is time for Rachel Reeves to U-turn on her Family Farm Tax. 🚜 Our farmers need our help, the govt only seems able to do the opposite. 🤝 I recently met with farmers and this is not the only problem they face. ✂️ The govt has also cut essential support, farmers deserve better

👨‍💼 I asked the Foreign Secretary about frozen Russian assets. 💷 We ned to seize them for Ukraine so Russian money can fund their resistance. 💪 If this is something that our allies are not prepared to do then we must do it on our own with the assets we have here in the UK.

✉️ I have signed @alisonebennett.bsky.social's letter to Wes Streeting about the crisis facing our hospices. They offer extraordinary dignity, comfort and peace for people in their final months. Yet they are expected to raise ever higher sums whilst the govt taxes them more. People deserve better.

Another security breach at a UK military base. Lessons haven't been learnt after the high profile break in at Brize Norton. We need a full investigation into this incident at Larkhill and the govt should commission a review into security at all UK bases and assets. news.sky.com/story/securi...

Our sanctions against Russia have to be watertight and they clearly are not. British-made parts being used in drones to kill Ukrainian civilians is appalling. We must do more to slam shut the back doors that Russia is using to keep their war machine going. www.bbc.com/news/article...

🇪🇺 I had the privilege to be on the UK delegation to the Council of Europe. 🕊️ I talked about democracy in Russia being a prerequisite for lasting peace in Europe. 🔭 It may seem far off, but we must start laying the groundwork to support the Russian people now, otherwise it will never happen.

Horrified and appalled by the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. My thoughts are with the victims, our brave emergency services and the entire Jewish community.

Congratulations to President Sandu and everyone involved with winning the election in Moldova under intense interference from Russia. The EU must redouble its work to get Moldovan (and Ukrainian) accession moving. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

I have been very clear; I cannot support Labour's Digital ID plan. I do not believe that citizens should have to hand over their private data just to go about their daily lives. Do we really want to become a “papers please” society for a gimmick that will fail to tackle illegal immigration? A🧵

Tomorrow is a big day for Europe in one of its smallest countries. Russia has not been subtle about interfering in the Moldovan election. There's been disinformation and attempts to bribe voters. I wish President Maia Sandu the best of luck in this key vote. www.bbc.com/news/article...

It's 10 months since I introduced a Bill into parliament for a youth mobility scheme with EU countries. Since then we've had warm words but no action. Again we're short of detail. I hope this isn't another damp squib because our young people deserve better. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Great to be on the sofa to record BBC Politics South East today for broadcast on Sunday. We talked about digital ID, possible closure of a sexual health clinic in Lewes and party conference season. Pleasure to be joined by Tris Osborne MP, Cllr Lizzie Hacking and Dr Olivia Hum.

So sad to hear of the passing of Sir Ming Campbell. I met him a few times and was always struck by the incredible authority he exuded especially on foreign policy. He was a man who had a remarkable career in a number of fields and will be greatly missed.

The Lib Dems have been the only voices in Parliament consistently championing closer economic, defence and cultural ties with Europe, after the Tories botched deal. I was privileged to present the Making the UK–EU Reset Summit Count motion to Conference and change party policy. A🧵

Putin is testing NATO which means he is testing us. Trump's botched meeting with the Russian leader has given the Kremlin confidence and they want to know if we can respond without US support. The UK must lead in showing Putin that we are not toothless. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I am honoured to have been selected as the Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of Sussex. I want to win with unity, not division, promoting a prosperous and green future for our county. Many people have lost all faith in politics, it's time we restored some hope. www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politic...

I was delighted to bring the Sports Minister to the Dripping Pan to see how the women’s game can be a catalyst for growth in football. Lewes FC is showing the world what fair football looks like. Equal pay for their men’s and women’s sides is an example the FA and other clubs should follow 🧵1/4

I was shocked to hear about this incident at Seaford station yesterday. Any murder is awful but it is even worse when both the victim and suspected assailant are just 16 years old. My thoughts are with the young victim's family. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Russian attacks are spreading: shopping centres in Warsaw & Vilnius torched, EU Commission President’s plane forced down by GPS jamming. I asked ministers what the UK – one of NATO’s strongest powers – will do to stand with our allies and push back.

British farmers deserve better. The Govt keeps neglecting Britain’s farmers and action is needed to save our rural communities. From unfair family farms tax to slashing support for young farmers, they are making it harder for the next gen to survive and now they are signing dodgy deals with DJT 🧵

Russia hosting Dodik in Moscow is a reminder: the Kremlin is fanning flames in the Balkans while blaming the West. Europe must not ignore these destabilisation tactics on its doorstep. The UK and EU must stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of this aggression.

New EU border chaos is looming unless ministers act. We need: Full use of the EU travel app for UK passengers Fast-track lanes for families & disabled travellers A clear national info campaign 12 October is weeks away – government must get a grip now www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Another Russian attack on civilian targets. Trump's pitiful attempts to deal with Putin 'man to man' have utterly failed. The Russian dictator has no interest in peace. The US and Europe must up the pressure with stronger sanctions and more military support. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...

The govt claims its plans for local govt are "devolution by default" they aren't, they're centralisation by stealth. They have a huge democratic deficit and people are worried. They are taking power away from communities. A 🧵 (1/5 )

A real shock to hear of the passing of Cllr Peter Pragnell with whom I have served on East Sussex County Council. He was respected across party boundaries and worked hard for his local community. My thoughts are with his family, he will be missed. www.bbc.com/news/article...

🇪🇺 I asked the govt what timetable they have to rejoin Erasmus+. It would be great for our universities & sciences – together we can do things we can’t alone. Young people have lost life-changing chances to study & work across Europe. We must give them back. Disappointingly they couldn’t say.

Russian GPS jamming shows the threat is here and now. Thursday’s Ukraine meeting must not be vague platitudes. The UK should lead with concrete defence pledges and closer EU coordination. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

West Hampstead (Camden) Council By-Election Result: 🔶 LDM: 54.4% (+15.4) 🌹 LAB: 21.2% (-23.4) 🌳 CON: 10.3% (-6.3) ➡️ RFM: 7.2% (New) 🌍 GRN: 7.0% (New) Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour. Changes w/ 2022.

Just across the border from Ukraine, Moldova faces the same Kremlin playbook – disinformation and destabilisation. The UK’s answer must be solidarity - standing shoulder to shoulder with Moldova, alongside the EU. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This is a colossal failure for Trump and a huge win for Putin. He is strengthened both in Russia and on the world stage. All the time Ukrainians are fighting and dying to resist this dictator who will now feel he can do as he wishes without consequences. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Three years locked out. Eighteen months back in. €735m in Horizon grants. Britain’s scientists are showing what happens when we reconnect with Europe. www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is extreme pregnancy sickness. It is hugely debilitating and misunderstood. My partner and I spoke about our own experience following my question on it to the Prime minister. It is time for change. 🧵1/6 www.thetimes.com/article/5e39...

Truly incredible stuff from England. Resilient and determined with the ability when it mattered. Congratulations to our courageous Lionesses! #Euro2025