A FOREIGN Office minister has come under fire after he admitted illegal weapons are on sale at a UK arms fair, describing the situation as a "little bizarre".
Business Secretary Vince Cable and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond are to be asked about the comments made by Tory MP Tobias Ellwood today.
Ann McKechin, the Glasgow MP, said she would press both men on the issue when they give evidence to the Commons Committee on arms export controls this morning.
Opposition politicians and campaigners have accused ministers of showing a shocking degree of complacency over the issue.
Mr Ellwood's comments concern the controversial Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition (DSEI), the worlds' largest arms fair, which is held in the UK every two years.
The high-profile event has previously faced accusations it allows companies to market equipment used in torture.
Two companies were ejected from the 2013 exhibition after brochures on their stalls apparently offered for sale items such as electric stun batons and leg irons that cannot be marketed in or exported from the UK.
UK laws ban the sale or promotion of weapons that could be used in torture.
During a debate on the issue at Westminster last month, Mr Ellwood mentioned the DSEI exhibition and told MPs: "I have visited it many times and find it a little bizarre that one can buy things that are illegal in this country."
He added that ministers "are reviewing their response to DSEI 2013 to consider any improvements to the processes that can be made before next year's event".
Officials would "continue to work closely with (event organisers) Clarion Events to ensure that exhibitors comply with export and trade controls and understand their obligations," he added.
Last night Ms McKechin said: "I find it more than a little bizarre that the Government has been so relaxed about the repeated incidents of the sale of torture equipment a few miles down the road from Westminster. We can't allow this stain against the UK's reputation to continue." She added that she would press Mr Cable and Mr Hammond on the issue today.
Labour MP Ian Murray, a shadow business minister,said:: "The foreign minister publicly called this practice 'bizarre' but rather than words he must act with his colleagues in the business department to prevent such activities."
Sir Malcolm Bruce, MP for Gordon and chairman of the Commons International Development Committee, said it had consistently called on the Government to take more effective action to prevent the marketing of illegal weapons at events held in the UK, such as the DSEI exhibition.
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