Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael MP, has today called on Home Office ministers to stop “dodging questions” and take responsibility for the major data loss from police databases, reported in the press last week. Over 400,000 records were lost due to “human error”, while the Times has reported that outdated software was to blame for the failure.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has said there should be “no surprise” that seafood exporters have taken to the streets to protest against the disruption they are facing. Dozens of HGVs have been reported around Whitehall in London demonstrating against the blockages they are facing in trade with the EU. Some reports suggest that protestors intend to dump unsellable seafood cargo in the streets.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has reacted to an open letter from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation to the Prime Minister, saying there should be no surprise at the level of anger felt by fishermen. Chief Executive of the SFF, Elspeth Macdonald, wrote in the letter that the fishing industry faces “the worst of both worlds” after leaving the EU, and that “many in our industry now fear for their future”.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has described as “shocking” reports in Denmark that up to 40% of fish sold in auctions there came from Scottish fishermen, and warned that government complacency risked turning short term disruption into a long term loss for Scottish exporters. The news comes as seafood businesses in Scotland face disruption and suspension of shipments due to post-Brexit trading changes.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out in a parliamentary debate on “Long Covid”, led by fellow Liberal Democrat Layla Moran MP, about the need for more government understanding of its effects on people. Long Covid is still poorly understood, but many people have been found to suffer symptoms – particularly severe shortness of breath – for months after contracting the disease.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has led an urgent debate today in Parliament on the impact on fisheries from the new trading relationship with the EU. He attacked the Government’s backtracking on compensation and refusal to agree to a meeting with those affected by disruption.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has secured an urgent debate in Parliament tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 10.30am, on the impact that the Government’s trade deal with the EU is having on the fishing industry. The deal has been criticised by many industry organisations for failing to deliver on promises made by ministers in the past, while in the days following the end of the transition period there has been growing trade disruption for seafood exporters, with one isles producer losing £50,000 on a single consignment.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has criticised the Minister in charge of Brexit planning, Michael Gove, for suggesting that it would be a “wee while yet” before the outcome of trade disruption for exporters was clear. Mr Carmichael highlighted broken promises by the Government about not introducing trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, and asked why there had been no “grace period” allowed for exporters of perishable goods like seafood, which have been severely affected by disruption in the last two weeks.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on the Government to take a lead on global human rights by taking steps to recognise the risk of genocide to the Uyghur people of Xinjiang Province in China. Mr Carmichael challenged the Foreign Secretary following a statement on the growing list of human rights abuses found in the province, and warned that the UK has a duty to act to prevent genocide.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, spoke on Monday night in a parliamentary debate on “Global Britain” and the country’s future trade policy, voicing concern that the Government was signalling a retreat from international values by its actions. Mr Carmichael called for an international policy framed by support for human rights and the rule of law, while reducing tariff barriers.