Foreign Affairs

Former environment secretary set to pressure government over Ministry of Defence budget, while defence secretary Michael Fallon says he will be 'fighting' against MoD cuts

MPs on the Public Accounts Committee warn commercial skills gap at Defence Equipment and Support will undermine MoD efforts to reduce costs if not addressed

With the defence budget becoming ever more contentious, the MoD’s permanent secretary Jon Thompson must continue to balance spending decisions with national security. It’s a tough job – but one he’s privileged to do, he tells Jess Bowie. Photos by Paul Heartfield

Former head of MI6 intelligence agency Sir Richard Dearlove says 'lack of trust' in politicians means new regulator needed

Philip Smith, deputy head of the UK's aid programme in Malawi, explains how the Department for International Development is helping the country respond to devastating floods

Legal framework around surveillance too complicated, says Intelligence and Security Committee

Northern Irish unionist party the DUP says 2% defence pledge a 'very clear' part of terms for coalition support

General Sir Peter Wall says 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review assumed 'benign' world situation

Think tank RUSI says UK unlikely to meet 2% Nato target

Independent Commission for Aid Impact says security and justice work lacks focus, but praises more targeted efforts in Malawi and Bangladesh

Defence committee chair stresses warning over Russian expertise

Defence safety regulators to merge into Defence Safety Authority from 1 April 2015

As Britain’s first anti-slavery commissioner, Kevin Hyland is on a mission to set people free – with the help of some friends in very high places. Sarah Aston spoke to him.

As the UK’s first independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, John Vine gave the Home Office a few nasty nips. But don’t read too much into his early departure, he tells Sarah Aston

Home Office let off the hook after court rules department does not have to pay damages to defence firm 

New Diplomatic Academy set up to improve knowledge and skills of FCO staff 

Former prisons watchdog Stephen Shaw will lead a review into detainee welfare on home secretary’s request

Sir John confirms he will give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on 4 February 

Cabinet secretary says the role he played in Chilcot Inquiry was "very limited"

The Ministry of Justice’s commercial arm bids for contract with Saudi Arabian Prison Service

Once an anonymous Whitehall lawyer, Shami Chakrabarti is now the very public face of Britain’s civil liberties movement – and a woman who inspires admiration and outrage in equal measure. Jess Bowie meets her

Inquiry set up in 2009 to investigate build-up to Iraq war will take “some further months”, Sir John Chilcot says

Management and removal of foreign national offenders comes under fire from Margaret Hodge’s committee