Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has welcomed the Prime Minister's Integrated Defence Review.

As part of the review, Boris Johnson announced the creation of an Atrocities Prevention Unit, something the MP has sought since her election in December 2019.

Mrs Kearns says the need for this is clear following, for example, the continuing genocide against the Uyghur people and the anti-democratic legislation in Hong Kong.

The MP believes the UK, as one of the world's leading defenders of democracy and freedom across the world, is making its intention to stand up against atrocities clear.

Mrs Kearns commented: "I am enormously pleased to see the creation of a new conflict centre for the protection of humanity wherever our values are threatened.

"I have called for a dedicated unit to address atrocity prevention at the FCDO since I arrived in Parliament and I am absolutely delighted to see this announced.

"This is a bold vision for a more assertive, and more strategic Great Britain, one that will see us better protect ourselves at home and force project abroad to secure and advance our interests.

"The Prime Minister is absolutely right to put security and resilience at the heart of this review. Britain needs a clear-eyed understanding of the international challenges we face and this review recognises that resilience requires a whole-of-government approach to our offensive and defensive capabilities.

"I also welcome the emphasis placed on multilateralism. We need to confront authoritarianism in international organisations large and small and defend the liberal world order which is challenged every day by our adversaries."

The MP, who last year launched a group to probe the activities of the Chinese government, as reported by Nub News, continued: "Naming China as a systemic competitor recognises the challenge China poses to our nation – we will need to keep our engagements and strategy under close and guarded scrutiny."

She added: "A robust foreign policy begins at home, and this strategy will secure the resilience of our nation, transform our strategic effort to defend and advance our interests, and focus on conflict prevention and security in partnership with our closest allies."