Written question asked by Lord Singh of Wimbledon (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 10 January 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 January 2024. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Monday, 22 January 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Hugh Powell

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis the Sikh community was not informed in 2014 that Hugh Powell was conducting the Heywood Review into allegations of UK involvement in the Indian Army's operation against the Golden Temple, with particular regard to the fact that his father was the Prime Minister's private secretary at the time of the operation.

Answer: The Heywood review of 2014 worked specifically to establish facts about the UK advice and assistance to the Indian Government during Operation Blue Star 1984. It concluded that UK assistance was advisory, ended several months before the operation and had limited impact on the tragic events that followed. The UK Government has concluded that there is no basis to challenge the conclusions of the 2014 review or to review the broader decisions of the government of the day.

Secondary information