At 2.30pm, the @CommonsForeign is hosting three v big-hitters on the FCO's coronavirus response: Perm. Under Secretary Sir Simon McDonald, Menna Rawlings (DG Economic & Global Issues) & the FCO's finance director Andrew Sanderson.

Tune in live here: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/1c4f0e1b-df01-4f9c-a959-154441d3a1a7

On repatriations: @SMcDonaldFCO acknowledges "real problems" & "real strains", with call centres and the coordination as a whole, but is satisfied the situation has been dramatically improved. "We have learned the importance of comms and of being accessible"

He points out that the government's instincts on repatriation were to maintain the commercial sector's role for as long as possible, unlike France, Germany etc., where the state stepped in straight away.

But says while 1.5 million Brits were overseas, 1.3 million are now home.

Questioned by Chris Bryant, @SMcDonaldFCO apologises for the delays in getting citizens home, says the decision to pursue the commercial strategy was made by "the government", but defends the approach. Notes the cost of charter flights have fallen significantly during the crisis.

Alicia Kearns MP questions why the government held off for so long on updating its travel advice. @SMcDonaldFCO says the FCO updated its travel advice more than 1,000 times in March (more than in the whole of 2019) & its timing for the 'come home message' was "defensible".

Discussion moves on to the Integrated Review. @SMcDonaldFCO says the FCO's big focuses are the spending review, the "alignment agenda" (ie. FCO/DFID), plus COVID-19. He describes coronavirus as "a watershed moment" in the global landscape.

Interesting: considering how COVID-19 might reshape the UK's global priorities, @SMcDonaldFCO says that the reworked COP-26 summit will be extremely important & he considers there is a big opportunity to push to lead ambitious new global action.

Alicia Kearns MP asks what representations have been made to China re. its COVID-19 handling. @SMcDonaldFCO says we have been "very active" in relations, because of repatriations & equipment. When pressed, says we have urged "transparency" in medical data.

Asked whether China is telling the truth on the COVID-19 pandemic, @SMcDonaldFCO says "the full picture is still emerging..."

On free trade and movement of much-needed equipment, @SMcDonaldFCO says a "crucial function" of the FCO is to lobby to keep trade routes open. But that governments, including China, are making "political choices" that can impede this.

Asked by Chris Bryant MP about the UK's capacity to access crucial equipment during pandemics, @SMcDonaldFCO explains that the nature of globalised supply chains may no longer be "acceptable" for these items after this crisis.

Asked why we did not take part in EU procurement of equipment, @SMcDonaldFCO responds, "We left the European Union on the 31st of January". When pressed by @TomTugendhat as to whether it was a policy or political decision, he replies that it was "a political decision".

Asked which 'foreign stakeholders' will be called upon to give input into the Integrated Review,
@SMcDonaldFCO
says "our allies", and specifically mentions both France and Germany.

On the Brexit negotiations, @SMcDonaldFCO concedes that "Covid has taken its toll on our European work" in terms of focus and resources - though he emphasises that Barnier was himself ill - but stresses it is now "again ramping up".

Asked about President Macron's interview in the FT,
@SMcDonaldFCO says, "It was an extremely striking intervention" and, commenting personally, he says he felt it was "deliberately targeted at Germany & northern countries".

Talking about the UK's role in the world after COVID-19, @SMcDonaldFCO says it is his intention to not for us to retreat, but to persuade the government that we should be global leaders in a range of areas, and that we will need more resources to achieve this.

Asked about the Brexit negotiations & transition period being extended, @SMcDonaldFCO says there are two clear choices but says he believes "the Prime Minister will confirm the existing timetable".

Alicia Kearns MP asks about the role "public consent" is playing in our foreign policy decision-making & hostile states seeking to influence this. @SMcDonaldFCO says this will be a part of the Integrated Review & agrees it's important.

( @TheBFPG is working on this research!)