Gerald Jones MP demanded that the UK Government take urgent action with the Sultan of Brunei, following the country’s implementation of new laws which make homosexuality punishable by stoning to death, in a crucial Westminster Hall debate.

Homosexuality was already illegal in Brunei, with a punishment of up to 10 years in prison, and the new measures were met with widespread international outrage and condemnation.

The MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney called on the UK Government to put pressure on Brunei to drop the law immediately, including stripping the Sultan of Brunei of his honorary appointments in the RAF and Royal Navy and potentially suspending Brunei from the Commonwealth.

Gerald Jones said: “It is essential that we send a clear message to any country looking to regress on LGBT or human rights issues that that is unacceptable. We will not go backwards.

The decision to impose the death penalty on gay people living in Brunei is utterly barbaric and a violation of ​basic human rights. The UK Government must show global leadership and consider Brunei’s suspension from the Commonwealth if it does not reconsider the decision.”

Click here to watch Gerald’s speech in full: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/258f8bec-e24a-4a6c-a0a0-da1ea3b0b5ce?in=17:00:10&out=17:03:04