Peter Ricketts
@lordrickettsp.bsky.social
Former diplomat, Chair Lords European Affairs Cttee, Vice-Chair RUSI, Hon Pres Normandy Memorial. Special Envoy for loan of Bayeux Tapestry. Pop up on media a bit. Views all my own!
Pinned
Bayeux Tapestry to go on display at the British Museum in 2026
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Macron agree a loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK
www.gov.uk
Thrilled to appointed UK Special Envoy for the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum, and of treasures from their collection to France. The first time this extraordinary artwork has been back to Britain since it was embroidered here almost 1,000 years ago! / www.gov.uk/government/n...
We will remember them, today and every day.
November 9, 2025 at 7:35 AM
We will remember them, today and every day.
Only one possible viewing option this evening!
November 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Only one possible viewing option this evening!
We welcomed our Royal Patron HM The King to @RUSI_org to mark 50 years that HRH The Duke of Kent has been our President. RUSI was the first think tank in the world founded by the first Duke of Wellington in 1831 - and now chaired by the current Duke! An old Institute doing cutting edge research.
November 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM
We welcomed our Royal Patron HM The King to @RUSI_org to mark 50 years that HRH The Duke of Kent has been our President. RUSI was the first think tank in the world founded by the first Duke of Wellington in 1831 - and now chaired by the current Duke! An old Institute doing cutting edge research.
An important mission today in advance of Remembrance Day to lay a wreath at the British Normandy Memorial which my five year old grandson made all on his own.
November 6, 2025 at 9:39 PM
An important mission today in advance of Remembrance Day to lay a wreath at the British Normandy Memorial which my five year old grandson made all on his own.
Reposted by Peter Ricketts
Last week, the @houseoflords.parliament.uk European Affairs Committee was honoured to host a joint meeting with the European Affairs Committee from the French Senate. Following the meeting the respective chairs, @lordrickettsp.bsky.social and Senator Jean-François Rapin, co-signed a Joint Statement
November 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Last week, the @houseoflords.parliament.uk European Affairs Committee was honoured to host a joint meeting with the European Affairs Committee from the French Senate. Following the meeting the respective chairs, @lordrickettsp.bsky.social and Senator Jean-François Rapin, co-signed a Joint Statement
Bravo to North Herts Museum for a lovely small show on William Ratcliffe, a Letchworth Gdn City artist who became a first rate Camden Town painter under the influence of his neighbour Harold Gilman. His quiet interiors are ravishing but he sold few, and survived on porridge or boiled onions! 1/2
November 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Bravo to North Herts Museum for a lovely small show on William Ratcliffe, a Letchworth Gdn City artist who became a first rate Camden Town painter under the influence of his neighbour Harold Gilman. His quiet interiors are ravishing but he sold few, and survived on porridge or boiled onions! 1/2
A powerful debate today showing the strong bipartisan support for Ukraine - because it’s in the UK’s national interest. I made two main points. First, a ceasefire will only come when Putin concludes that pressure on Russia is jeopardising his hold on power. 1/6 www.parliament.uk/business/new...
Members consider the situation in Ukraine
Russo-Ukrainian War at heart of Lords debate. Find out more
www.parliament.uk
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 PM
A powerful debate today showing the strong bipartisan support for Ukraine - because it’s in the UK’s national interest. I made two main points. First, a ceasefire will only come when Putin concludes that pressure on Russia is jeopardising his hold on power. 1/6 www.parliament.uk/business/new...
That’s the conundrum Matt Collins faced. He couldn’t put words into the mouth of the previous government which they hadn’t used. For all the rhetoric now, their stated policy (IR 2023) was that China was an ‘epoch-defining challenge’. Collins instead assessed the threat of specific Chinese actions.
Which accords with what I thought here.
I can understand why many think there was enough to prosecute, but it’s still a difficulty if your witness isn’t able to be clear that China is actually an enemy. You’ve got to be confident you’ve got a 50%+ chance of conviction.
bsky.app/profile/publ...
I can understand why many think there was enough to prosecute, but it’s still a difficulty if your witness isn’t able to be clear that China is actually an enemy. You’ve got to be confident you’ve got a 50%+ chance of conviction.
bsky.app/profile/publ...
FWIW I can understand why the CPS didn't proceed given these statements. You'd need to be confident of your witness's answer to the question "was China considered a threat to the national security of the UK", & if they're not prepared to give assurance on that, you've got a problem.
October 18, 2025 at 1:16 PM
That’s the conundrum Matt Collins faced. He couldn’t put words into the mouth of the previous government which they hadn’t used. For all the rhetoric now, their stated policy (IR 2023) was that China was an ‘epoch-defining challenge’. Collins instead assessed the threat of specific Chinese actions.
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, or any real change in China policy. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Week in Westminster - 18/10/2025 - BBC Sounds
George Parker assesses the latest developments at Westminster.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
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, or any real change in China policy. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
If you are settling down with a coffee at 1100, have a listen to The Westminster Hour on BBC Radio 4 where the FT’s George Parker, Bns Helena Kennedy and I discuss the ins and outs of the disappearing China spy case.
October 18, 2025 at 9:20 AM
If you are settling down with a coffee at 1100, have a listen to The Westminster Hour on BBC Radio 4 where the FT’s George Parker, Bns Helena Kennedy and I discuss the ins and outs of the disappearing China spy case.
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 www.gov.uk/government/p...
Witness statements in relation to alleged breach of Official Secrets Act on behalf of China
As the Prime Minister said in the House, he has carefully considered this matter and, following legal advice, the Prime Minister decided to disclose the witness statements in full.
www.gov.uk
October 16, 2025 at 8:34 AM
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 www.gov.uk/government/p...
It’s time to put the spotlight back on Russia’s relentless war of attrition against #Ukraine. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada spoke powerfully to UK parliamentarians today about the threat Russia poses to all European states. Next to him, to reinforce the message, was a Shahed 136 killer drone.
October 15, 2025 at 10:53 AM
It’s time to put the spotlight back on Russia’s relentless war of attrition against #Ukraine. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada spoke powerfully to UK parliamentarians today about the threat Russia poses to all European states. Next to him, to reinforce the message, was a Shahed 136 killer drone.
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 x.com/skynews/stat...
Sky News on X: ""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 https://t.co/gCDMDXyAR6" / X
"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 https://t.co/gCDMDXyAR6
x.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:38 AM
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 x.com/skynews/stat...
Couldn’t resist this one!
October 11, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Couldn’t resist this one!
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 of the end-state 1/3
October 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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 of the end-state 1/3
The hugely welcome 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
October 10, 2025 at 7:26 AM
The hugely welcome 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
Good to talk to Amol Rajan on the Today Programme earlier about the Hamas statement. It’s a remarkably astute move, accepting Israel’s key demand for hostage release, thereby earning an approving response from Trump and throwing all the pressure back on Netanyahu. Could still go wrong. But 1/6
October 4, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Good to talk to Amol Rajan on the Today Programme earlier about the Hamas statement. It’s a remarkably astute move, accepting Israel’s key demand for hostage release, thereby earning an approving response from Trump and throwing all the pressure back on Netanyahu. Could still go wrong. But 1/6
This new Humanities Centre looks like a wonderful new arrival in Oxford. But I wish William Hague had found room, in a long interview, to pay tribute to the former Chancellor Chris Patten, whose fundraising achievement this was. www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
William Hague: how we got a rich US donor to pay £185m for our new arts centre
Oxford’s chancellor reveals the largest single gift the university has ever received — a vast, visionary British building made of York brick, Sheffield steel and Rutland stone
www.thetimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:03 AM
This new Humanities Centre looks like a wonderful new arrival in Oxford. But I wish William Hague had found room, in a long interview, to pay tribute to the former Chancellor Chris Patten, whose fundraising achievement this was. www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
I’m personally glad the Chancellor has discovered the benefits of an EU youth experience scheme. A pity that it wasn’t in the manifesto, that the Govt rebuffed EU proposals, and were lukewarm about it at the 19 May summit. We c’d have been much closer to a deal now if it had been made a UK priority.
Do we even know the size of the EU/UK “youth experience scheme” yet? I thought what we had was an agreement to agree one? How is the OBR meant to score that?
www.thetimes.com/article/ea32...
www.thetimes.com/article/ea32...
UK needs ‘ambitious’ EU youth migration deal, says Rachel Reeves
The chancellor believes allowing young people to live and work in Britain would boost the economy and reduce the need for tax rises in the budget
www.thetimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I’m personally glad the Chancellor has discovered the benefits of an EU youth experience scheme. A pity that it wasn’t in the manifesto, that the Govt rebuffed EU proposals, and were lukewarm about it at the 19 May summit. We c’d have been much closer to a deal now if it had been made a UK priority.
The PM is right to recognise the state of Palestine. The two state solution has been the policy of successive Governments. Making this statement won’t of course stop the killing in Gaza or bring the hostages home. Only a ceasefire will do that. However this is significant www.gov.uk/government/s...
PM statement on the recognition of Palestine: 21 September 2025
Keir Starmer's statement on the Middle East.
www.gov.uk
September 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The PM is right to recognise the state of Palestine. The two state solution has been the policy of successive Governments. Making this statement won’t of course stop the killing in Gaza or bring the hostages home. Only a ceasefire will do that. However this is significant www.gov.uk/government/s...
If you missed Catriona’s brilliant preview of the show on the Today programme yesterday have a listen on BBC Sounds!
On view at the Marie Antoinette exhibition in London, a famous Vigée Lebrun portrait of the queen.
September 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
If you missed Catriona’s brilliant preview of the show on the Today programme yesterday have a listen on BBC Sounds!
Watching Spielberg’s The Post again, striking how relevant Justice Black’s opinion in the Washington Post case 1971 still is ‘The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors’.
September 19, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Watching Spielberg’s The Post again, striking how relevant Justice Black’s opinion in the Washington Post case 1971 still is ‘The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors’.
Gearing up for BBCr4 Today Programme on where the State Visit leaves us on Ukraine and Israel/Gaza. How far did the rosy glow of Royal hospitality affect discussions on the tough issues? Give us a listen at 0712
September 19, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Gearing up for BBCr4 Today Programme on where the State Visit leaves us on Ukraine and Israel/Gaza. How far did the rosy glow of Royal hospitality affect discussions on the tough issues? Give us a listen at 0712
How far can the goodwill generated on Day 1 of the State Visit, spent far from the madding crowd in the glow of Royal hospitality, be translated on Day 2 into economic deals of benefit to UK and progress on international crises? The first looks more likely than the second. 1/7
September 17, 2025 at 7:40 AM
How far can the goodwill generated on Day 1 of the State Visit, spent far from the madding crowd in the glow of Royal hospitality, be translated on Day 2 into economic deals of benefit to UK and progress on international crises? The first looks more likely than the second. 1/7
If you are curious to know what the vetting process amounts to, and the differences between appointing a political figure as opposed to a career diplomat, have a listen to the first five minutes here, before coming on to Adam Boulton on the politics of the case. open.spotify.com/episode/1uvx...
The fall and rise (and fall again) of Peter Mandelson
open.spotify.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM
If you are curious to know what the vetting process amounts to, and the differences between appointing a political figure as opposed to a career diplomat, have a listen to the first five minutes here, before coming on to Adam Boulton on the politics of the case. open.spotify.com/episode/1uvx...