Speaker meets with Sweden’s Ambassador and offers security sharing with the Swedish Riksdag
11 March 2022
The Speaker of the House of Commons met with H.E. Mikaela Kumlin Granit – Sweden’s Ambassador to the UK – to discuss issues of common concern such as the situation in Ukraine and security of parliamentarians that threatens to erode democracy.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle offered the Swedish Riksdag the opportunity to share knowledge on keeping MPs and Parliaments safe, and told Ms Kumlin Granit that the Parliamentary Security Department would be happy to organise exchange visits on the topic of dealing with threats against politicians.
Mr Speaker, a former chair of the Consultative Panel on Parliamentary Security, said he was particularly concerned about threats against MPs, and the impact they are having on staff and families.
"Women, especially, suffer the worst of the threats, and I worry that this type of aggression is putting off good parliamentarians from standing again or new candidates from standing in the first place," he told the ambassador.
"It is one of the reasons why security is at the top of my agenda as Speaker, and why I think it is so important to share our knowledge with likeminded parliaments, such as Sweden’s Riksdag, and their security departments."
Mr Speaker made the offer at his debut meeting with Her Excellency Ms Kumlin Granit, who has been ambassador to the UK since August 2021.
She welcomed the move, adding that the Riksdag was also concerned about security, and the impact of threats in eroding democracy.
Sir Lindsay hosted the get-together as part of his Speaker-led diplomacy to establish enduring ties between countries and parliamentarians.