Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : GREAT campaign drives growth across the four corners of the UK [September 2022]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 30 September 2022.
- The Great Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign (GREAT) is the UK’s flagship international marketing programme.
- GREAT’s ‘Study UK’ campaign is set to generate £407m of investment right across the UK, from international students registered in 2021/22.
- Students from 121 countries around the world have been attracted to UK universities by the campaign; driving impressive growth for local economies.
International students attracted to UK universities by the GREAT ‘Study UK’ campaign and enrolled in 2021/22 will generate £407m for the economy during the course of their degrees.

The campaign, delivered in partnership with the British Council, uses a combination of marketing channels and scholarship opportunities to promote the quality and opportunities of UK higher education to students worldwide; highlighting reasons why the UK is a first-choice study destination.

Across the four nations, the estimated economic benefit of international students attracted to the UK by the GREAT campaign is:
- England £339.1m
- Scotland £44.4m
- Wales £18.4m
- Northern Ireland £5.1m
The campaign supports the government’s levelling up ambition, with many parts of the UK benefiting economically and culturally from international students.

Projected economic benefit across cities in the UK include:
- Greater Manchester £13.3m
- Liverpool £4.7m
- Newcastle £6.0 m
- Leeds £7.7m
- Sheffield £7.1m
- Birmingham £11.6m
- Bristol £4.0m
- Edinburgh £8.5m
- Glasgow £9.1m
- Cardiff £5.0m
- Belfast £1.6m
The success of the GREAT ‘Study UK’ campaign is well evidenced, for example Teesside University experienced a 40% increase on 2020/21 international student enrolments from markets where GREAT scholarships were offered.

Cabinet Office Minister Jake Berry said:

“The GREAT ‘Study UK’ campaign attracts and supports international students to study in the UK. International students drive growth in local economies across the country, they also enrich the university experience, bringing greater diversity and an international viewpoint for all students.”

Higher education is a significant export for the UK. The 2018/2019 cohort of international students generated £28.8 billion for the UK economy according to a report by the Higher Education Policy Institute .

Maddalaine Ansell, Director Education, British Council said:

“International students not only make our universities vibrant and cosmopolitan but also, through getting to know and understand us, can become life long ambassadors for not only UK Education but our values and way of life.

“Many international graduates go on to play important roles in the political, economic, scientific and cultural life of their own countries and their knowledge of, and affection for, the UK means we have friends in many places.”

Minister for Skills Andrea Jenkyns said:

“Attracting the brightest students from around the world is good for our universities and delivers growth at home, as well as supporting the creation of more places for UK students.

“We’ve already smashed the target set in our International Education Strategy to attract 600,000 international students per year to study here – hitting it for the first time almost ten years early – and we are now focusing on bringing in £35bn from our education exports by 2030.”

Doug W Pearce, International Recruitment, University of Leeds

“The wider UK HE sector sees great value in the British Council’s efforts including the GREAT campaign to continue to build a strong brand profile of the UK as one of the top study destinations worldwide.”

Shonagh Maak, International Recruitment Manager, University of Glasgow

“Our international students enhance the learning environment of our campus, contribute to research output and add immense value to the cultural vibrancy of our campus and the wider community in Glasgow.”
September 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Security Council must not be distracted by tactics designed to protect the Syrian regime from accountability [September 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 September 2022.

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Political Coordinator at the UN at the Security Council meeting on chemical weapons in Syria.
Thank you, Mr. President.

I’d like to thank the High Representative for her very clear briefing once again and all the efforts of the UN team.

Month after month, we hear the same story.

Syria is refusing to make any progress on its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and under Resolution 2118.

This is a crystal clear reminder of Assad’s disregard of international norms and of the threat his regime poses. This is not a dormant issue. This is an active refusal to implement this Council’s resolutions.

We’ve heard countless excuses for Syria’s noncompliance. None stand up to scrutiny. We must all be clear that given Syria’s behaviour and the many inconsistencies in its declarations to the OPCW, there is a real and ongoing risk from its chemical weapons programme to international peace and security.

We also all know that Syria’s failings are only part of the story. The actions of Russia in continuing to protect the Assad regime in its use and stockpile of chemical weapons show that they have no genuine interest in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention or protecting international security.

We’ve just sat through another assault on the integrity of the OPCW. But this is not just about disinformation and distraction in the Security Council. Russia has also systematically blocked or attempted to block mechanisms related to the investigation of chemical weapons use in Syria over many years.

They blocked the Joint Investigative Mechanism from operating 2017 and 2018.

They tried to block the creation of the IIT in 2018.

They tried to block the OPCW budget that funded the IIT.

And in 2018, they blocked the adoption of the outcome document at the OPCW RevCon over references to the Joint Investigative Mechanism and the IIT.

They tried to block the OPCW budget again in 2019.

They voted against an Executive Council decision on Syria in 2020.

They tried to block the OPCW budget again in 2020.

They voted against the Conference of States Parties decision on Syria in 2021.

They tried to block the OPCW annual report that mentioned the IIT in 2021.

This Council must not be distracted by tactics designed to undermine the international system and to protect the Syrian regime from accountability for their crimes. We must not accept any erosion of the rules. We have all agreed. We must continue to work together to push Syria to meet its obligations in full.

Thank you.
September 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Media Advisory Notice – The fatal police shooting of Chris Kaba [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 29 September 2022.

The Attorney General confirms the requirement not to publish material which could prejudice ongoing criminal investigations and potential prosecutions.

Following the fatal police shooting of Chris Kaba on 05 September 2022 a homicide investigation has commenced in respect of the officer who fired the fatal shot.

HM Attorney General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP, wishes to amplify the importance of not publishing any material where there is a risk that it could prejudice any ongoing criminal investigation or potential prosecution. Publishing this material could amount to contempt of court.

Editors, publishers and social media users should take legal advice to ensure they are in a position to fully comply with the obligations to which they are subject under both the common law and statutory regimes in relation to publications.

September 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : HM Law Officers sworn in [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 29 September 2022.

The Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP was sworn in as His Majesty’s Attorney General for England and Wales in a joint ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice today.

His Majesty’s Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP was also sworn in at the ceremony. Speaking after the ceremony, His Majesty’s Attorney General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP said:

I am honoured to be sworn in after returning as His Majesty’s Attorney General for England and Wales. As the Government’s chief legal adviser, my focus will be upholding the rule of law and strengthening our justice system.

I also warmly welcome Michael Tomlinson MP to his role as His Majesty’s Solicitor General. Michael brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the role.

Commenting on his new appointment, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

It is a privilege to be sworn in as His Majesty’s Solicitor General for England and Wales.

There are important responsibilities that come with this unique role which has been part of our constitution for centuries, and I look forward to working with His Majesty’s Attorney General to play my part in upholding the rule of law and carrying out the public interest functions of the Attorney General’s Office.

HM Attorney General is the Government’s chief legal advisor and also attends Cabinet. As well as providing advice to government, HM Law Officers (the Attorney General and Solicitor General) oversee the Law Officers’ Departments which include the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office, Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

HM Law Officers carry out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as government ministers.

The Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP was first appointed Attorney General on 2 March 2021 and held office until 10 September 2021. He was reappointed on 6 September 2022.

Michael Tomlinson MP was appointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales on 7 September 2022.

September 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Up to £200,000 available to test security of smart devices used by nearly all UK businesses [September 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 29 September 2022.
- Successful bidder will research potential vulnerabilities in popular devices to better protect against cyber risks
- Findings will help make sure current security measures and guidance are robust enough for evolving threats
Organisations can now apply for funding to support research into the cyber security of office devices which can connect to the internet, such as printers, cameras, and room booking systems, to ensure they are properly protected against hackers.

Thousands of UK businesses rely on these products, known as enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) devices, to increase productivity and enable hybrid working. The government is funding new research to uncover vulnerabilities in these commonly used enterprise IoT products and assess the cyber resilience of these devices.

Smart devices in the workplace can collect sensitive data which can be accessed by other users, making them an attractive target for cyber criminals to exploit. While devices may have some protections built-in, products with poor cyber security can leave companies using them at risk.

For example, in 2019 Microsoft’s researchers found Russian hackers were compromising conference phones and office printers in organisations across many sectors, though Microsoft was able to successfully block the attacks before they could cause any damage.

The successful bidder will be awarded up to £200,000 to test popular devices and help identify if current security measures and guidance, such as international standards and NCSC device security principles, are robust enough to protect businesses from evolving threats.

Cyber minister Julia Lopez said:

Technology played a pivotal role in keeping British businesses going during the pandemic, helping the pivot to hybrid working and boosting productivity ever since.

This research will ensure we have the right measures in place to protect our economy and keep our offices and workers safe from cyber security threats.

The grant is part of the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to protect the UK from cyber threats and grow the digital economy. It supports the UK’s objective to take the lead in the technologies vital to cyber power and secure the Internet of Things and connected technologies used by consumers and enterprises.

This work complements the Product Security and Telecommunications infrastructure bill (PSTI) going through parliament which strengthens the cyber resilience of consumer IoT devices, such as smart speakers and smart TVs.
September 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Antelope unveiled on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 28 September 2022.

Antelope by Samson Kambalu was unveiled today as the next sculpture on the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square.

The Fourth Plinth is renowned across the globe for bringing world-class contemporary art to London’s most prominent historical public square and Antelope is the 14th commission since the programme of artworks began in 1998.

Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Samson Kambalu’s bronze resin sculpture restages a photograph of Baptist preacher and pan-Africanist John Chilembwe and European missionary John Chorley, taken in 1914 in Nyasayland (now Malawi) at the opening of Chilembwe’s new Baptist church.

Chilembwe is wearing a hat, defying the colonial rule that forbade Africans from wearing hats in front of white people, and is almost twice the size of Chorley. By increasing his scale, the artist is elevating Chilembwe and his story, revealing the hidden narratives of underrepresented peoples in the history of the British Empire in Africa, and beyond.

John Chilembwe was a Baptist pastor and educator who led an uprising in 1915 against British colonial rule in Nyasaland triggered by the mistreatment of refugees from Mozambique and the conscription to fight German troops during WWI. He was killed and his church destroyed by the colonial police. Though his rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, Malawi, which gained independence in 1964, celebrates John Chilembwe Day on January 15th and the uprising is viewed as the beginning of the Malawi independence struggle.

The artist, Samson Kambalu, was born in 1975 in Malawi, and now lives and works in Oxford where he is Associate Professor of Fine Art and a lifelong fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford University.

His sculpture, which was made in Deptford, was selected by the Fourth Plinth Commission Group, chaired by Ekow Eshun, following an exhibition at the National Gallery where nearly 17,500 people commented on the selection.

For over two decades, The Fourth Plinth has showcased the work of great artists who have not shied away from tackling the important issues of the day. Yinka Shonibare CBE considered the legacy of British colonialism in Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle. Katharina Fritsch commented on gender equality and the masculine posturing in the square with her work Hahn/Cock. Michael Rakowitz’s recreation of the Lamassu, a winged bull and protective deity that was destroyed in Nineveh (near modern day Mosul) in 2015 shone a light on the devastating impact of war on cultural heritage, and Heather Phillipson’s THE END presented a giant swirl of whipped cream, a cherry, a fly and a drone that transmits a live feed of Trafalgar Square, suggesting both exuberance and unease and responding to Trafalgar Square as a site of celebration and protest.

Antelope will be on the Fourth Plinth until September 2024 and is a highlight of the inaugural Sculpture Week London, a new initiative that will celebrate public art throughout London in a collaboration between Frieze, Sculpture in the City and the Mayor of London’s Fourth Plinth Programme.

The Fourth Plinth is funded by the Mayor of London, Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies. It features on Bloomberg Connects, the free app that allows users to access over 100 museums, galleries, and cultural spaces around the world anytime, anywhere. Through the Fourth Plinth guide, users can access a range of exclusive content, including a video of Kambalu discussing the Fourth Plinth installation and his practice more broadly, information on past commissions and a welcome from Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries.

Samson Kambalu said: “I am thrilled to have been invited to create a work for London’s most iconic public space, and to see John Chilembwe’s story elevated. Antelope on the Fourth Plinth was ever going to be a litmus test for how much I belong to British society as an African and a cosmopolitan. Chilembwe selected himself for the Fourth Plinth, as though he waited for this moment. He died in an uprising but ends up victorious.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “I’m delighted that Samson Kambalu’s inspiring sculpture has become the latest to take its place on the Fourth Plinth. Our world-renowned sculpture prize entertains, educates and inspires. Samson is shining a light on an often overlooked part of our country’s history and I’m sure it will encourage discussion about the fight for freedom and equality. As we continue to fight against racism and stand-up for equality across our city and country, it is a message that remains just as important today.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The Fourth Plinth is a symbol of our capital’s world-leading creativity and a clear sign of the importance of the culture to our city. For more than two decades, it has showcased the work of great artists and sparked conversation and debate about a wide range of subjects. By revealing how a simple hat became a symbol for the fight for equality, Samson Kambalu’s bronze sculpture will send an important message to Londoners and the millions who visit Trafalgar Square every year.”

Ekow Eshun, Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, said: “Antelope is something of a Trojan Horse. At first glance it appears like a traditional bronze statue, similar to the other statues around Trafalgar Square. But it is subtly subversive, highlighting the bravery and legacy of an underrepresented figure in the history of the British Empire in Africa. This sculpture tells a fascinating story, one that deserves to be better known and shared with all of London”.

Jemma Read, Global Head of Corporate Philanthropy at Bloomberg LP, said: “The Fourth plinth is a unique installation which celebrates our global influences and acknowledges our shared history. Samson Kambalu’s Antelope is an important addition to this iconic space, shedding light on a pivotal moment and encouraging challenging conversations. We’re proud to support the Mayor of London to bring this work to life and to enable communities around the world to experience it through the Bloomberg Connects guide.”

September 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Levelling Up Fund to drive growth in Leicester’s space sector [September 2022]
The press release issued by the Treasury on 29 September 2022.
- Levelling up fund investment will drive the rapid expansion of technology, innovation and science businesses in the city, creating high quality jobs
- The visit follows the announcement that Leicestershire County Council is one of 38 local and mayoral combined authorities to have expressed an initial interest in setting up Investment Zones to turbocharge economic growth
The Exchequer Secretary visited Leicester today (29 September) to hear how the government’s Levelling Up Fund will help drive growth in the city’s flourishing space sector, boosting the economy and creating jobs.

Felicity Buchan toured a site at Pioneer Park to hear how nearly £20 million of government investment will deliver high-quality work spaces for advanced manufacturing and R&D linked to the space and satellite technologies, driving forward the rapid expansion of technology, innovation and science businesses in the city.

She heard how the development will complement the nearby University of Leicester’s Space Park – officially opened by astronaut Tim Peake earlier this year – and home to a collaborative community of industry, academics and students.

Following a tour of the National Space Centre, the Minister met with companies who have moved into the Space Park to hear how the facility has sparked collaboration between researchers and the private sector, driving innovation and helping to retain the top graduates from the city’s two universities.

The visit follows an announcement from the Chancellor on Friday that the government is in early discussion with 38 local and mayoral combined authority areas to set up Investment Zones including Leicestershire County Council.

Businesses will benefit from generous, time-limited tax incentives and further liberalised planning rules to release more land for housing and commercial development, boosting economic growth.

Following her visit, Exchequer Secretary Felicity Buchan said:

It’s fantastic to see how our investment will turbocharge growth in Leicester’s rapidly expanding space sector, encouraging innovative businesses to expand and grow in the city, creating high-skilled jobs.

And we are going further to ignite growth through our brand-new Investment Zones, which will encourage businesses to invest, driving our economy forward and creating opportunity for everyone.

Investment from the Levelling Up Fund will also support a new Dock-style building for high tech industries and nine high-quality manufacturing spaces, alongside the transformation of an old council depot into light industrial spaces to provide much-needed small units.

This is one of 10 places in the East Midlands to receive a share of £203 million from the £1.7 billion first round of the Levelling Up Fund, as announced in October’s Budget 2021.

The government will look to announce successful allocations of the second round of the levelling up fund before year end.

The Levelling Up funding builds on previous government investment including £17 million through the Local Growth Fund for four projects in Leicester, and £20 million for four infrastructure projects across Leicestershire through the Getting Building Fund including St Margaret’s Regeneration Gateway and Charles Street Transport Hub.
September 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : WW2 airman buried in the Netherlands [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 September 2022.

Leading Aircraftman (LAC) John Stuart Mee Bromley of No. 264 Squadron was buried at Jonkerbos War Cemetery on Wednesday 28 September at a service attended by representatives of the RAF, The British Embassy in The Netherlands and local dignitaries.

Members of the Queen’s Colour Squadron (QCS) of the RAF bore his coffin as an RAF musician sounded the Last Post at a ceremony organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’.

Bromley was rear gunner in a single engine, two-seater Boulton Paul Defiant fighter aircraft piloted by Pilot Officer (Plt Off) Thomas. The plane was shot down over the Netherlands near Dordrecht; Thomas bailed out and later escaped to England where he confirmed Bromley’s death.

Bromley’s remains were discovered along with aircraft fragments which were then identified by the RAF Air Historical Branch and RAF Museum as those of a Defiant. Further research ruled out all Defiants apart from Defiant L6958 – Thomas’ and Bromley’s fighter.

Tracey Bowers, JCCC said:

We are grateful to the local community in the Netherlands which has taken such a keen interest in this case, and are here today to pay their respects to LAC Bromley. I reflect today on the grief and sadness that must have been felt by his mother; to lose her only child. We thank him for his service and for his ultimate sacrifice.

John Stuart Mee Bromley was born on 17 March 1916 in Toxteth Park, Liverpool. He was baptised in the city on 15 June 1916. His mother Constance was said to be so distraught over her son’s death that a welfare officer delivered Plt Off Thomas’ confirmation of the death because a letter might be “more than she could bear”.

The service was led by Rev (Squadron Leader) Josephine Critchley, Chaplain at RAF Honington, she said:

It may have been over 80 years since Leading Aircraftsman Bromley lost his life; but the time is now right to formally lay his body to rest, into the everlasting peace of God. The Bible reading used in today’s ceremony reminds us that all things happen at the right time, and we go now trusting that this has been done.

Director for the Central and Southern European Area at the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, said:

It is an honour to be a part of this special ceremony today to finally be able to lay Leading Aircraftsman Bromley to rest. The CWGC will care for his grave at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, along with all those of his comrades, in perpetuity.

September 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : WW2 burial in the Netherlands [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 September 2022.

A full military burial ceremony has been held in the Netherlands for the British and Canadian crew of an RAF Stirling BK716 which went missing in 1943 after leaving a Norfolk air base.

The 28 September service at Jonkerbos War Cemetery was led by Rev. (Squadron Leader) Josephine Critchley, Chaplain at RAF Honington, and was attended by family members.

Representatives of The Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), The British Embassy in the Netherlands and local dignitaries were present. Personnel of the Queen’s Colour Squadron (QCS) bore the coffin and laid the remains to rest with military honours.

The ceremony was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (MOD JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’.

The crew of Stirling BK716 No 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron RAF crashed on 30 March 1943 with all seven crew members on board. The crash site was later located in lake Markermeer, in the municipality of Almere, and the remains recovered in 2020 by the Joint Aircraft Recovery Team of The Netherlands MoD. Stirling BK716 took off from Downham Market on 29 March 1943 for a raid on Berlin, but shortly afterwards the crew was designated “missing believed killed”.

Following the recovery, which happened as part of the National World War 2 Aircraft Recovery Programme of the Netherlands, and working alongside the Recovery and Identification Unit of the Royal Netherlands Army and The RAF Air Historical Branch, JCCC confirmed from the wreckage’s unique engine plate that it was that of Stirling BK716. Human remains were few, and it was impossible to assign them to individuals, but all were remembered at today’s burial.

Flying Officer John Frederick Harris RAF Flying Officer Harry Gregory Farrington RCAF Flying Officer John Michael Campbell RAF Sergeant Charles Armstrong Bell RAF Flight Sergeant John Francis James McCaw RCAF Sergeant Ronald Kennedy RAF Sergeant Leonard Richard James Shrubsall RAF.

Tracey Bowers, JCCC said:

It is lovely to see so many families here today to witness this burial. We thank all the crew for their bravery in defending our freedom and allowing us to live our lives as we do today.

Niece of RCAF Flying Officer Farrington, Margot McLeod travelled from Ontario Canada, she said:

It’s so important for us, and for our mother, who is 96. Harry was all the family she had, so she now knows where he is. He got marreid before he died and his wife was my godmother, so she used to talk to me about Harry – I feel we knew him. Mom’s always talked about him too, and his picture hangs in her house. She keeps him so close in her heart and is so thankful that she now knows the story of what happened to him and that he has a resting place.

The ceremony, conducted by Rev. Critchley, included poems and readings chosen and delivered by family members, and reflected how close the international crew would have been to each other.

Barbara Bradbury, the niece of RAF Flying Officer Campbell, travelled from Auckland, New Zealand to attend the ceremony. She said:

This ceremony has provided a lot of resolution for our family: I’m very moved by it. I grew up with the grief of knowing his plane had gone down but nothing else. I was the first person in the family to be contacted by a researcher looking for relatives and it was quite exciting to be involved, and it was outstanding to hear the plane had been discovered. John was a very creative man who did a lot of writing and made cinefilms, and now we have gone on to learn more about the other crew members of BK716.

Rev. Critchley said:

In life, we know not what happens when we die…as we have paid tribute to the fearlessness of the BK716 crew, what we do know is that they are at rest and at peace, in the safety of God’s love, gathered safely home.

Director for the Central and Southern European Area at the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, said:

It is a privilege for us to care for the lasting resting place, at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, of those who gave their lives in March 1943. Whilst it has not been possible to individually recover and identify them, the names of all seven crew members of RAF Stirling BK716 are engraved on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede, honoured there in perpetuity.

September 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Russian sham referenda in Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 September 2022.

Minister Docherty says the UK will never recognise the results of Russia’s sham referenda, nor any attempts to illegally annex Ukrainian territory.

Vladimir Putin’s sham referenda must be seen for what they are. A brazen and desperate attempt, to justify an unprovoked and illegal land grab, of sovereign Ukrainian territory.

They are a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter. And wholly illegitimate.

That is why the United Kingdom will never recognise the supposed results. Nor any Russian attempt to illegally annex Ukrainian territory.

We have seen Vladimir Putin use this playbook before, in Crimea. As then, Russia will try to claim that these latest votes were free and fair.

But no amount of Russian lies can hide what we all see plainly: A sham. A propaganda exercise. Without a shred of legitimacy. Conducted down the barrel of a gun, by soldiers accompanying ballots door-to-door, forcing Ukrainians to vote.

For 7 months, in an attempt to destroy Ukrainian identity, Vladimir Putin’s forces have ruthlessly used violence and torture against civilians – and forced deportations – to exert control.

Sham referenda held under such fear and harassment can never be free, nor fair.

As highlighted by my Foreign Secretary last week, we know Vladimir Putin planned to rig the outcomes. Russia has no choice but to fabricate the results. These regions voted overwhelmingly to join an independent Ukraine in 1991, and for President Zelenskyy in 2019.

Earlier this week, the United Kingdom announced sanctions against those behind these bogus votes, including 33 officials and collaborators deployed by Russia to conduct them.

This latest Russian deception, and Putin’s decision to partially mobilise Russia’s population, only serve to highlight one thing: his invasion is failing.

His war machine is depleted. His supply of volunteers willing to fight in Ukraine has been exhausted. Partial mobilisation will only send many more thousands of innocent Russians to die in Putin’s war-of-choice. A war which he could end right now.

Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats are irresponsible and will not work. Ukrainians are highly motivated. The international alliance is cast-iron strong. We and our allies are clear that any use of nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences.

The United Kingdom’s approach will not alter. We will be steadfast in support of Ukraine – and its right to defend its sovereign territory – for as long as it takes.

We call on all participating States to join us in unequivocally rejecting the results of these illegitimate referenda, and any Russian attempts to illegally annex Ukrainian territory.

If we allow Russia to change sovereign borders by force, then the core principles on which the OSCE was founded – of sovereign equality; the inviolability of frontiers; and respect for territorial integrity – lie in tatters.

And all of our borders become less secure.

This is about freedom and security for the people of Ukraine. But also about freedom and security across Europe and the World.

September 29, 2022