Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the newly appointed Chair of the UK parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, is facing criticism from Syria activists for her past comments as the party’s shadow foreign secretary. Thornberry emphasized the importance of scrutinizing foreign policy and upholding human rights and international law in her new role.
During her tenure as shadow foreign secretary, Thornberry and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were accused of being soft on Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in Syria, prompting questions about her suitability to lead the foreign affairs committee. Critics highlighted her comments minimizing Assad’s unpopularity and failure to blame the regime for chemical attacks.
Despite some controversy, Thornberry has also been praised for her role in securing the release of British-Iranian captives and supporting Hong Kong citizens. However, her statements on Israel’s actions in Gaza have drawn further criticism.
While some support Thornberry’s appointment, others question her track record on key international issues. The debate surrounding her controversial remarks and actions underscores the challenges she may face as she takes on the role of leading the Foreign Affairs Committee.
No response was received from Thornberry at the time of publication.