Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : British Embassy welcomes roadmap for a water law in Guatemala [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2024.

A British Embassy official attended the launch of the plan to create a water law in Guatemala, which will start this year until 2025. This national commitment was announced on 29 August by the Executive and endorsed by Congress, civil society, and indigenous peoples.

A British Embassy spokesperson said:

We congratulate the Guatemalan Government for presenting the initiative to create a water law in Guatemala.

Guatemala now joins the path travelled by many countries to preserve their natural resources while addressing the impacts of climate change.

The UK continues to work with Guatemala on this and other environmental priorities, such as the protection of biodiversity and forests, and addressing global climate challenges.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Gang members sentenced in sham marriage documents scam [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 29 August 2024.

Members of an organised crime group have today been jailed for forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates to allow people to live in the UK illegally.

Nigerian nationals Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi and Adekunle Kabir have been jailed for a total of 13 years after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court.

The court heard how, between March 2019 and May 2023, the defendants conspired to make fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications. They provided false Nigerian customary marriage certificates and other fraudulent documentation to support the applications of Nigerian nationals in order to remain in the UK.

An investigation led by Home Office criminal and financial investigators, in partnership with Home Office international operations based in Lagos, uncovered more than 2,000 false marriage documents forged by the gang.

At trial, Onifade and Shodipo were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, and Kabir was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention but cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception.

Earlier this week (27 August) at sentencing, Onifade received 6 years behind bars, Shodipo 5 years, Gbadamosi 18 months and Kabir 9 months.

Home Office Investigation Supervisor, Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran said:

This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice.

As with many gangs we encounter, their sole priority was financial gain. I am delighted that my team was able to intercept their operation, and I hope these convictions will serve as a warning to unscrupulous gangs who exploit people’s desperation to remain in the UK.

We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : People smuggler who crammed 7 migrants into lorry convicted [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 29 August 2024.

A people smuggler who left 7 migrants requiring urgent hospital treatment after cramming them into a boiling lorry has been convicted.

Anas Al Mustafa, 43, was convicted today after ferry staff discovered the migrants screaming for help inside a tiny compartment of his lorry at Newhaven Ferry Port earlier this year.

The miniscule concealment, which was only 2 metres wide, left the 6 men and 1 woman squashed alongside each other and without the ability to move their arms from their sides.

On 15 February 2024, Mustafa booked to travel on a ferry from Dieppe to Newhaven in his van. The next morning, when he arrived in the UK, the migrants were found concealed in the rear of the van behind a fitted panel, which could only be accessed by a tiny hole measuring just 22 inches.

The court heard earlier this week that the group of migrants were heard banging and calling for help in the over-heated van on board the ferry as they were starved of oxygen. They were later taken to hospital and treated for heat exhaustion.

Mustafa was arrested at the scene for trafficking people into the country illegally. As he was arrested, he frantically deleted material from his mobile phone which was discovered later as the extent of his crimes unravelled.

Officers at the scene had already identified Mustafa as someone they had stopped previously for attempting to smuggle shisha and cigarettes into the UK.

Today (29 August), at Lewes Crown Court, Mustafa was found guilty of facilitating the breach of UK immigration law.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:

This appalling incident could have easily ended in tragedy, and everyone who was squashed inside this criminal’s van is incredibly lucky to still be alive.

We are sending a clear message that we will not tolerate this sort of life-threatening activity. Our new Border Security Command will work with partners across Europe to smash the business models of the criminal smuggling gangs and halt their activities long before they reach the UK.

Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigations Deputy Director, Chris Foster, said:

Today’s conviction is a clear example of the lengths evil people smugglers will go to make cash. The lives of 7 people were put on the line after being crammed into a boiling and tiny concealment in the back of a van with no access to air.

I’d like to thank my investigating teams for their work on today’s case. We will continue to tirelessly pursue people smugglers who undermine our border security in an attempt to trade lives for money.

Lauren Doshi, Specialist Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

The defendant in this case attempted to conceal his involvement in smuggling people into this country. A lot of effort had been put into adapting a van to hide people within the back of it in dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions.

All of this was designed to avoid the checks and border controls that we have to prevent unlawful immigration. He put the lives of those that he sought to smuggle into the UK at risk.

The CPS is committed to working with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those involved in people smuggling.

We will seek to pursue any money or assets gained through this criminality with our proceeds of crime division.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Macron of France [August 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 August 2024.

The Prime Minister met President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace this morning.

The Prime Minister congratulated President Macron on hosting such a successful Olympic Games and said he was looking forward to watching the Paralympics in the coming weeks.

The leaders reflected on the success of the European Political Community meeting, held at Blenheim Palace last month, and agreed on the importance of further strengthening and broadening the close relationship between the UK and France in the coming months.

Turning to the fragile situation in the Middle East, the Prime Minister said he was very concerned about the escalation in the West Bank in recent days.

The leaders agreed on the urgency of concluding the ceasefire negotiations, and the importance of pursing a political solution that creates an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, which can provide lasting security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Moving to the shared challenge of small boat crossings, the Prime Minister welcomed the joint action between the UK and France and the leaders agreed to do more together to dismantle smuggling routes further upstream and increase intelligence sharing.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Ministerial appointment [29 August 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 August 2024.

The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of Catherine Smith KC as Advocate General for Scotland.

His Majesty has also been pleased to signify His intention of conferring a peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Catherine Smith KC.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Travel ban on two individuals under counter-terrorism sanctions [August 2024]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 29 August 2024.

The travel bans are in addition to the financial prohibitions to which they are already subject.
- Nazem Ahmad and Mustafa Ayash, who were designated by HM Treasury on 18 April 2023 and 27 March 2024 respectively, are now subject to a travel ban and so cannot enter the UK.
- This is HM Treasury’s first use of the power to impose a travel ban on an individual under its Domestic Counter Terrorism Regime.
The UK Government has announced a travel ban on two individuals under the Domestic Counter Terrorism Sanctions Regime. A travel ban means persons are excluded for the purposes of section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971 – it means that they cannot enter the UK.

This action is the first use of new travel ban powers under the Domestic Counter Terrorism Sanctions Regime. The travel bans are a part of continued efforts to protect the integrity of the UK economy from terrorist financing threats. They are used to target those who are suspected of being, or to have been, involved in terrorist activity in the UK but are not UK nationals.

Further information on how the travel ban is implemented can be found on the Home Office pages of GOV.UK.

Sanctioned individuals now subject to a travel ban:
- Nazem Ahmad, suspected Hizballah financier.
- Mustafa Ayash, promoting terrorism through his involvement with Gaza Now, a terrorism-promoting media network.
September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announces new appointment to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 29 August 2024.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the appointment of Nazia Latif to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

Nazia Latif will take up the appointment with effect from 1 September 2024 for a period of three years.

Background

The Equality Commission was established in 1999, as part of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It took over the functions of the Fair Employment Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, and Council for Racial Equality and Northern Ireland Disability Council.

The Commission is responsible for policing the Statutory Duty on all public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity across a range of areas including religion, political opinion, gender, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability and those with and without dependants. The Commission is funded and sponsored by The Executive Office.

Further information about the work of the Commission can be found at:

https://www.equalityni.org/Home

Biography of Appointee

Nazia is Co-Founder of Right Practice, where she helps organisations meet their human rights and equality commitments. She has worked with clients in Northern Ireland and internationally on a range of research and training projects, including the Asia Pacific Forum and the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. She is currently an Authority Member of the Regulation, Quality and Improvement Authority. She also serves on the NI Committee of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and is an Independent Assessor for Diversity Mark. Nazia previously held the position of Investigations and Policy adviser at the NI Human Rights Commission. Nazia is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, completed her MA at the University of Durham and completed her PhD at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Terms of Appointment
- This position is part-time for a period of three years ending on 31 August 2027.
- The position receives a fixed annual remuneration of £5,000.
- The position is not pensionable.
Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements. Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public.

Nazia Latif has declared that she has not been politically active in the past five years.

Regulation

The appointment process has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA) and all stages of the process were overseen by an independent panel member.

Statutory Requirements

The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces new appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 29 August 2024.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the appointment of Mairead Holder as a Commissioner to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Mrs Holder will take up the appointment with effect from 1 September 2024.

Mrs Holder is currently a Barrister and Official Solicitor for Northern Ireland. Mairead formerly held the position of Senior Principal Legal Officer on Human Rights for the Attorney General’s Office.

Background

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (the ‘NIHRC’) was created by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as part of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
The NIHRC was established in 1999 and operates as an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office.
Its powers and duties are set out in legislation, and it operates in compliance with UN General Assembly resolution 48/134 (the ‘Paris Principles’) on National Human Rights Institutions. The NIHRC’s functions include keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness in Northern Ireland of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights and promoting understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights in Northern Ireland.

Further information about the work of the Commission can be found at: https://nihrc.org/about-us

Terms of appointment
- This position is part-time for a period of three years ending on 31 August 2027.
- The position receives a fixed annual remuneration of £7,500.
- The position is not pensionable.
Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements. Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public.

Mrs Holder has declared that she has not been politically active in the past five years.

Regulation

The appointment process has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA) and all stages of the process were overseen by an independent panel member.

Statutory Requirements

The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Artwork from Scotland and the North East to be showcased in buildings around the world [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 29 August 2024.

Government Art Collection acquires more than 20 new works of art from Scotland and the North East.
- Artists include Leo Robinson, Kara Chin and Kuba Ryniewicz
- Acquisitions are part of Art X-UK project that collects works by exciting British artists for display in more than 125 countries
Works of art by contemporary artists from Scotland and across the North East of England are to be displayed in embassies and government buildings world-wide as part of the Art X-UK project.

More than 20 new pieces have been acquired by the Government Art Collection (GAC) this year as the second instalment of a five-year drive to ensure it reflects creative talent from across the entirety of the UK.

This includes the work of Joanne Coates, who is based in the North East and explores rurality, hidden histories, and pay inequalities through photography, installations and audio. She uses photography to question stories around power, identity, wealth and poverty.

Coates is the Director of the Arts organisation Roova Arts, which campaigns for class equality in the creative industries through school programmes and mentorships.

GAC also acquired works from Glasgow-based artist Leo Robinson, who blends history with science and supernatural forms with natural ones in his intricate pencil drawings. Robinson, who is also a musician, works in sculpture, painting, and collage to create fictional, fantastical worlds.

Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

“The whole of the UK is brimming with artistic talent, so it’s great to see new artworks from Scotland and the North East being represented in the Government Art Collection and being appreciated by more people on a global level.

“The Art X-UK project is giving much deserved recognition to artistic talent right across the UK and is helping to promote our fantastic creative industries in all corners of the world.”

UK Government minister for Scotland, Kirsty McNeill, said:

“It is fantastic to see the work of Scottish artists being recognised as part of the Government Art Collection. Scotland has always had a rich artistic heritage and I am delighted to see these contemporary artists having their work promoted by the UK Government.

“I congratulate Leo Robinson, Ashanti Harris, Ilana Halperin, Iman Tajik and Matthew Arthur Williams whose work will now be seen by audiences around the world.”

In 2022, GAC, which is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), launched a five-year acquisitions programme to collect works from exciting talent and showcase the best of British creativity – promoting further interest in the country’s globally renowned creative sector.

The Art X-UK project initially ran as a successful pilot scheme in 2020–21. Since then, over 100 pieces by 55 contemporary visual artists have been acquired for the Collection.

As part of the first year instalment of this project, GAC acquired 30 new pieces of artwork from Wales and the Midlands last year.

These works are now on display in government buildings around the country and internationally in British embassies and residences including Washington, Ankara, Abu Dhabi, Paris and 10 Downing Street.

Later this year, GAC will work with arts networks in the North West of England and Northern Ireland to identify more talented artists from these regions to be featured in the Collection.

Joanne Coates, artist said:

“It’s amazing to be representing the North East in the Government Art Collection. The North East is one of the most exciting places for the arts in the UK and it’s really wonderful to see my region being recognised for its talent.

“The North East is huge, so sometimes I do think, where do I fit within that and am I representing the issues that people care about? But I think because my work is class-based, there is that connection there. More art collections around the UK should look to the North East.”

Director of Art Network North East Adam Pugh said:

“There are so many fantastic artists working in the North East and exhibiting internationally. These acquisitions by the Government Art Collection are a commendation of the quality of work being made, and will, I know, serve to enrich both the artists’ careers and the collection itself.”

Paula Orrell, National Director, Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) England, said:

“Every year, a CVAN region in England undertakes a thorough process to nominate and select artists for the Government Art Collection. The selection panels are composed of diverse representatives from the local visual arts community.

“What I find remarkable about this process is its democratic nature, which offers the Collection a broader perspective on artists who might otherwise be overlooked.

“This platform is crucial for artists seeking recognition and new opportunities. With increasing challenges for regional artists to access London and its networks, this partnership and the Art X-UK project help dismantle those barriers.”

Moira Jeffrey, Director, Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN), said:

“We’re thrilled that art works by Leo Robinson, Ashanti Harris, Ilana Halperin, Iman Tajik and Matthew Arthur Williams will be seen and shared in public buildings throughout the UK and across the world.

“These artists from Scotland tell complex individual stories and give voice to their communities, through art works that are rich, complex and also very, very beautiful.

“At SCAN we believe that art can sit at the heart of public life and artists can be central to the way we see the world, so we’re delighted to partner with the Government Art Collection.”

Notes to editors

In 2023–24, GAC worked in partnership with the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) and Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) in the North East of England. Each network convened a panel of artists and curators who proposed a shortlist of artists from the region or nation for the GAC team to research. Artists whose work was acquired are:

Scotland:
- Leo Robinson
- Ashanti Harris
- Ilana Halperin
- Iman Tajik
- Matthew Arthur Williams
North East:
- Emily Hesse
- Kara Chin
- Joanne Coates
- Rachel Lancaster
- Annie O’Donnell
- Kuba Ryniewicz
X-UK acquisitions programme 2022–27:
- 2022/23 – Wales, East Midlands and West Midlands
- 2023/24 – Scotland, North East
- 2024/25 – Northern Ireland, North West
- 2025/26 – Yorkshire, East
- 2026/27 – South East, South West
September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Fixing unsafe buildings must be faster, Deputy Prime Minister tells roundtable of regulators and partners [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 29 August 2024.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Building Safety Minister Rushanara Ali have set out clear expectations to increase the pace of remediating unsafe buildings.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Paul Dennett and Deputy Mayor of London Jules Pipe attended the meeting, along with key representatives from the London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Local Government Association, the Building Safety Regulator, and other key partners.

The Deputy Prime Minister set out her priorities – speeding up the remediation of buildings, and ensuring that people are safe in buildings undergoing remediation. She also praised the bravery of firefighters who tackled the fire at Spectrum Building in Dagenham, which she visited yesterday, and the support offered to residents by Barking and Dagenham Council.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

Speeding up the remediation of buildings is absolutely critical.

Seven years on from Grenfell, action has been far too slow and the fire in Dagenham is a horrific reminder of the risk unsafe cladding still poses to far too many people.

This government will expect more from regulators and partners to make sure action is being taken now to make homes safe, speed up remediation and ensure that buildings in the process of being remediated are managed safely for residents.

Building Safety Minister Rushanara Ali said:

I would like to thank the emergency services, council and wider community for all they have done following the fire in Dagenham.

It is absolutely essential that central and local government, regulators, and partners come together, as we have today, to drive fast and effective change to get buildings fixed, made safe and make sure residents are protected.

September 5, 2024