I want to assure you that both I and the Government remain wholeheartedly opposed to the ‘boycott, divestment, and sanctions’ (BDS) campaign against Israel. The BDS campaign runs against the Government’s commitment to promoting our trade and business ties with Israel, and no local authority should undertake boycotts that undermine our foreign policy.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year, I am assured that the Government remains committed to ensuring public bodies stop introducing local boycotts, and that new legislation will be brought forward to address the points raised in the court case as soon as Parliamentary time allows.