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Prisoners' Release: Middle East

Asked by Gregory StaffordConservativeHome OfficeTabled Answered 27 October 2025UIN 84097

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Israeli authorities on the sharing of (a) intelligence, (b) biometric data and (c) watchlists in relation to people released under prisoner agreements related to conflict in the Middle East.

Answered by Mike Tapp

It is the long-standing policy of successive governments not to comment publicly on discussions related to the UK sharing intelligence with international partners. The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists. It is a longstanding policy that HMG does not comment on the specific data held on the watchlist, how the data is used, or its source, as to do so would be harmful to the national security of the UK.

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