Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : New plans to stop journalists being silenced by baseless lawsuits [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 11 September 2023.

Ministers to meet media and legal industry leaders today to agree action to stop ‘SLAPP’ lawsuits muzzling reporters.
- SLAPPs are used by wealthy individuals, including Russian oligarchs, and companies to obstruct freedom of the press and prevent publication of critical stories
- New taskforce will build on work in Economic Crime Bill to ban SLAPPs in British courts
Journalists will be better protected exposing the crimes of powerful figures under plans for a new government-led taskforce to clamp down on obstructive and costly legal action designed to silence critics.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer will today (Monday 11 Sept) attend the inaugural meeting of the taskforce, dedicated to tackling Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), to help drive forward the government’s agenda to make sure appropriate protections exist for journalists tirelessly working to investigate and publish stories in the public interest, holding power to account and supporting our strong democratic tradition.

SLAPPs are used by the wealthy to intimidate and financially exhaust those seeking to expose wrongdoing, threatening them with extreme costs for defending a claim. They have been used prominently by Russian oligarchs to silence journalists, often using bogus defamation and privacy grounds that prevent the publication of information in the public interest.

A recent report by the Thomson Reuters Foundation found that SLAPPs have risen substantially since 2015, with half of journalists saying they or their newsroom has experienced legal action due to their reporting.

The taskforce will bring together major players from the media and legal sectors – including the Society of Editors, The National Union of Journalists and the Law Society of England and Wales – and drive forward measures to protect public interest journalism from SLAPPs, including those linked to non-economic crime.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer KC said:

When I became Culture Secretary I vowed to stand up for independent voices and nurture a thriving media landscape which upholds and champions fearless truth telling.

SLAPPs have led to journalists having to crowdfund their legal fees and some have even been forced to sell their homes – simply for doing their job.

Working together with industry leaders, we will develop strong measures which enhance the freedom of the press to expose wrongdoing without fear of our justice system being abused to silence journalists.

UK Bureau Director for Reporters Without Borders Fiona O’Brien said:

SLAPPs can have a devastating impact on the journalists involved and their ability to report freely on matters of public interest, so we’re very pleased to see the establishment of a taskforce that recognises them as a serious and pressing threat. This is a welcome step towards ensuring UK journalists are better protected from such abusive and damaging lawsuits.

While it is difficult to tell how often SLAPPs are used, because they usually operate before papers are lodged or there is a direct interaction with the justice system, data from the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) shows they are on the rise in the UK, with 14 estimated in England and Wales in 2021, up from two in both 2020 and 2019. There was one case in 2018.

SLAPPs also present an increasingly worrying threat to democracy across Europe, too, with CASE’s database increasing from 570 cases in 2022 to over 820 cases in 2023.

The taskforce is expected to commission research to investigate the prevalence of SLAPPs used against journalists. It will also explore how legal services regulation could be used to prevent or mitigate SLAPPs, draw up plans for new specialist training for judges and law professionals to help them identify and throw out SLAPPs more easily, and develop guidance to support journalists, publications or law professionals.

The government has already amended its Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill to clamp down on SLAPPs linked to economic crime, which cover the vast majority (estimated at up to 70 per cent) of such cases brought to UK courts. The changes will allow SLAPPs to be thrown out by judges more quickly and place a cap on the costs for those targeted, making them less effective at strong-arming reporters into abandoning their stories. The government has also committed to legislating to tackle SLAPPs outside of economic crime as soon as parliamentary time allows.

The government recognises the need to protect defendants from abusive litigation whilst ensuring access to justice for legitimate claims. The Bill will set out a clear legal definition for a SLAPP, which ensures the application of this legislation is appropriate and fair.

The new taskforce will report regularly on progress to clamp down on SLAPPs to the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists at its bi-monthly meetings. The Committee, set up by the government, brings together representatives from government, journalism, policing, prosecution services and civil society to work in collaboration.

The group led the development of the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists in 2021 to ensure journalists in the UK can carry out their jobs free from threats or violence.
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK deploys search and rescue teams to Morocco following earthquake [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2023.

The UK has sent 60 UK search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment to Morocco following 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
- sixty UK search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment deployed to Morocco following 6.8 magnitude earthquake
- UK Emergency Medical Team deployed to assess the existing healthcare capacity and the extent of the damage
- Foreign Secretary has spoken to Foreign Minister Bourita and UK remains in close contact with the Moroccan authorities
The UK will immediately deploy emergency response teams to Morocco to assist with Moroccan led rescue efforts.

The government of Morocco accepted the UK offer for assistance following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake. The UK is deploying a team of search and rescue specialists, including 60 people, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment, as well as a medical assessment team.

The team is deploying today via 2 Royal air Force A400M aircraft provided by the Ministry of Defence.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK is sending immediate support to Morocco including a team of 60 search and rescue specialists and 4 rescue dogs to assist with the rescue effort.

I remain in contact with Foreign Minister Bourita and offer my deepest sympathies to the people of Morocco after this tragic event.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

This is a devastating time for the people of Morocco, particularly those with loved ones they have lost or are missing.

The UK has taken a leading role in the international effort to enhance search and rescue operations – moving quickly to deploy our unique strategic airlift capabilities, expert personnel and aid. We stand firmly by Morocco as they get through this terrible event.

The UK International Search and Rescue team (UKISAR) respond to disasters on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They have specialist search equipment including seismic listening devices, concrete cutting and breaking equipment, propping and shoring tools. The specialist kit gives the team the capacity to lift, cut and remove concrete and rubble to reach people under collapsed buildings.

The UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) is deploying a 4-person British medical assessment team to assess the situation on the ground and coordinate with Moroccan authorities. Following a large-scale natural disaster, it is crucial to assess existing healthcare capacity and the extent of damage to manage healthcare needs and provide support appropriately.
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK’s Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to visit Bangladesh [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2023.

Sir Philip Barton, UK Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, will arrive in Bangladesh on Monday 11 September for a two-day visit.

Sir Philip’s main focus will be the fifth UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue chaired by Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen. Building on the UK and Bangladesh’s historic links, the Strategic Dialogue reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to develop a modern economic, trade and security partnership.

The Dialogue will cover political and diplomatic relations, economic, trade and development partnerships, and global, regional and security issues, including the Rohingya crisis.

It will also provide an opportunity to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, cooperation on COP28 and joint work on climate financing, adaptation and resilience to climate impacts, and showcase the UK’s substantial economic development investment offer.

During his time in Dhaka, the Permanent Under-Secretary will also meet politicians, civil society organisations, business leaders and youth representatives.

Background Information:
- Sir Philip Barton KCMG OBE is the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The Permanent Under-Secretary is the most senior civil servant and diplomat in the FCDO.
- This is Sir Philip’s first visit to Bangladesh as Permanent Under-Secretary. He visited previously in 2008 in his capacity as Director South Asia, FCO.
- Sir Philip is active on Twitter/X: @PhilipRBarton
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister announces record climate aid commitment as G20 in India concludes [September 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2023.

UK will provide $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund – the biggest single funding commitment the UK has made to help the world tackle climate change.
- UK will provide $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund – the biggest single funding commitment the UK has made to help the world tackle climate change
- Uplift makes a significant contribution towards the UK’s pledge to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance, cementing our global climate leadership
- UK continues to show global climate leadership, having cut emissions faster than any other G7 country
As a gathering of G20 leaders in India concludes today (Sunday), the Prime Minister has announced the UK’s biggest single financial contribution to helping the world’s most vulnerable people adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change.

The UK will contribute £1.62 billion ($2 billion) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which was established by 194 countries following the Copenhagen Accord at COP15. The GCF is the largest global fund dedicated to supporting developing countries to reduce global emissions and helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change.

Today’s pledge represents a 12.7% increase on the UK’s previous contribution to the GCF for the period of 2020 to 2023, which was itself a doubling of our initial funding to establish the fund in 2014.

At the G20 Summit the Prime Minister has called on leaders to work together ahead of the COP28 Summit this December to both reduce their countries’ own carbon emissions and support vulnerable economies to deal with the consequences of climate change.

Addressing G20 leaders, the Prime Minister said:

The UK is stepping up and delivering on our climate commitments, both by decarbonising our own economy and supporting the world’s most vulnerable to deal with the impact of climate change.

This is the kind of leadership that the world rightly expects from G20 countries. And this government will continue to lead by example in making the UK, and the world, more prosperous and secure.

The UK has led international efforts to help developing countries tackle climate change, including by pledging to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance between 2021 and 2026.

Today’s announcement marks a major contribution towards this commitment and follows the Prime Minister’s announcement at COP27 that the UK would triple our funding for climate adaptation.

Since 2011 UK climate aid spending has helped over 95 million people cope with the effects of climate change and reduced or avoided over 68 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

This goes hand in hand with the UK’s domestic leadership transitioning to clean forms of energy. The UK has cut emissions faster than any other G7 country, with low carbon sources now accounting for more than half of our electricity.

We saw renewables generate a record 47.84% of UK electricity in the first three months of 2023 and output from wind, solar and hydro reached a record high last year. Last year, we saw the biggest increase ever in the installation of offshore wind capacity, with the UK home to the four largest working wind farms in the world.

Alongside this uplift in the UK’s contribution to the GCF, which is expected to again make us one of the largest donors to the fund, the UK Government will continue to stress the importance of the GCF delivering results with even greater speed, demonstrating value for money in all of its activities. This includes asking the GCF to further improve its delivery for those countries most vulnerable to climate change, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Jugnauth of Mauritius [September 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 September 2023.

The Prime Minister met Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth at the G20 Summit in Delhi today.

They discussed enhancing opportunities for cooperation between their two countries, as Commonwealth partners, in areas of shared interest, including strengthening trade and tackling the impact of climate change.

They also assessed the progress made so far in the negotiations between Mauritius and the UK on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/the Chagos Archipelago.

Both Prime Ministers agreed to meet again soon.

September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore [September 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 September 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the G20 Summit in India today.

The leaders praised today’s agreement of the UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership. They underlined the document’s importance in elevating our already strong partnership and strengthening the work we do together across trade, security, and science and technology.

The Prime Minister said that the Strategic Partnership is the latest example of the UK’s tilt to the Indo-Pacific, a significant diplomatic move which is seeing us invest more in this increasingly crucial region. Prime Minister Lee welcomed this heightened engagement.

The leaders discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. They agreed on the need for further work between international partners to ensure proper regulation of AI. The Prime Minister updated on progress towards the UK’s AI Safety Summit, and he and Prime Minister Lee looked forward to working together on this issue.

You can read the full Strategic Partnership Declaration here.

September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India [September 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 September 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in New Delhi today.

He congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his country’s consummate presidency of the G20 this year, which has demonstrated India’s vital global leadership and influence. Prime Minister Modi noted the warm reception the Prime Minister has received in India.

The leaders reflected on the close and growing ties between the UK and India, exemplified in the ‘living bridge’ between our people. They agreed it was important to build on the past and focus on the future, cementing a modern partnership in cutting-edge defence technology, trade and innovation. They also discussed a number of consular issues.

The leaders had a productive conversation about negotiations on a UK-India Free Trade Agreement. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s ambition to deliver a landmark trade deal which benefits businesses and workers in both countries and grows our trade in both goods and services.

They agreed that ministers and negotiating teams would continue to work at pace towards an FTA.

The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi welcomed the opportunity to meet again in person and the Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Modi again on delivering a successful G20 Summit.

September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Royal Navy flagship sails to lead international carrier strike group deployment [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 9 September 2023.

Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth sails from Portsmouth for her autumn deployment.

Britain’s flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth sails this week from Portsmouth as she heads north to lead a Carrier Strike Group deployment alongside ships from partner nations.

The aircraft carrier, crewed by up to 900 sailors, with her F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters and Merlin helicopters will lead a mixed group of warships from various nations as they head to the Norwegian Sea and waters of northern Europe.

The UK Carrier Strike Group deployment comes just days after HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth for the United States, where she will undergo trials and operate a multitude of aircraft and drones.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

The UK leadership of this international strike group shows the strength of our commitment to working with Allies to promote security in Europe and demonstrate our resolve against any threat from potential adversaries.

With both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales deployed simultaneously, the Royal Navy sends a strong message that the UK’s capability for carrier operations is among the strongest in the world.

The first phase of the deployment will see the carrier’s F35 fighter jets taking part in Exercise Cobra Warrior, the RAF’s largest bi-annual exercise, which will see aircraft from the Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, and the UK taking part in joint exercises.

The 18-day exercise will involve RAF Typhoon and F35 jets, A400M and C17 transport aircraft, and Voyager air tankers, developing interoperability alongside allied aircraft and practicing integration between fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft across air, sea, and land.

Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the Carrier Strike Group, said:

It is with much eagerness that the UK Carrier Strike Group is now assembling for deployed operations – the first time the UK CSG will be under my command. This autumn’s deployment showcases the UK’s capability to operate at range from the UK and demonstrates our continued commitment to North Atlantic security.

The Carrier Strike Group is an agile and highly capable force and we are excited to be heading to the North Sea and North Atlantic along with our International Partner Nations to reinforce security across the region.

The following phases involve HMS Queen Elizabeth and the Carrier Strike Group conducting activities alongside international partners, including through the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) framework – highlighting the utility and strength of JEF.

A series of sorties will also be carried out by 617 Squadron – the Dambusters, the joint RAF-RN Lightning stealth fighter formation from RAF Marham – and the strike group will take part in various port visits and defence engagement events.

Captain Will King, HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commanding Officer, said:

It is an extraordinary privilege to have command of one of the Royal Navy’s most capable ships and to lead a dedicated and highly skilled crew on operations.

As we sail to the north leading a coalition of nations in our unwavering commitment to peace and security in Northern Europe, we stand together as a formidable force for stability in these waters.

The 65,000-tonne carrier and her Strike Group will also join NATO allies for exercises and training in the North Atlantic.

The deployment will mark the second time the Royal Navy flagship has led an international carrier strike group, after her deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2021.

HMS Prince of Wales will lead a further Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025, further strengthening the UK’s defence ties in the region.

September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK agrees new strategic partnership with Singapore [September 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 September 2023.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has signed a new strategic partnership with Singapore to grow the UK’s economy and enhance shared security.
- The Prime Minister has signed a new strategic partnership with Singapore to grow the UK’s economy and enhance shared security.
- Agreement will harness the UK and Singapore’s expertise in new technologies like cyber and AI to create jobs in both our countries.
- Partnership follows agreements with countries including France, Japan and the US, as PM uses global relationships to deliver on the UK’s priorities.
The UK’s economy will be bolstered and our security strengthened under a new bilateral partnership with Singapore agreed by the Prime Minister today (Saturday 9th September).

The Prime Minister will meet Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the margins of the G20 Summit in India to sign a new UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership. This agreement will set the direction of UK-Singapore relations for the next decade, upgrading the UK’s trade and investment relationship with one of Southeast Asia’s leading economies in recognition of our shared expertise and interests in areas like technology and clean energy.

Following the Strategic Partnership, the UK and Singapore will work to conclude a new and modern bilateral investment treaty – the first the UK has negotiated since we left the EU. This will give Singaporean companies more confidence to invest in the UK and vice-versa, creating jobs and growing our economies.

Singapore is one of the UK’s closest and most dynamic partners in the region, with our £21 billion trade relationship accounting for 40% of our total trade with Southeast Asia. Singaporean entities have a total of £226 billion invested in the UK. Last year the UK and Singapore signed a first-of-its-kind Digital Economy Agreement, to help businesses in both our countries seize new trade opportunities.

In addition to enhanced economic cooperation, the new UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership will strengthen security cooperation, science and technology innovation, and research and development. This includes collaboration to counter new and emerging threats in domains like cyber, through a first of its kind partnership between Singapore’s new Digital and Intelligence Service and the UK.

The Prime Minister said:

I am totally committed to delivering on my priorities to halve inflation, grow the economy while reducing government debt, cut NHS waiting lists and stop the boats. But none of these priorities can be achieved without working with our international partners.

As Prime Minister, I’ve put the interests of the British people front and centre of my international engagement. I am ensuring that diplomacy delivers.

You have already seen that through deals that will stop illegal migration, make our economy more secure and increase trade with our international partners.

This new agreement with Singapore will take us even further in delivering our priorities and ensure that, as we map the future of the world economy, we are doing so alongside our closest partners.

Since becoming Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has forged a number of new bilateral and multilateral partnerships which are already helping to deliver on the UK Government’s priorities.

This includes agreements with countries such as France, Albania and Turkey to stop illegal migration, the Hiroshima Accord with Japan and Atlantic Declaration with the United States which will strengthen our economy, and the AUKUS pact with Australia and the US to build a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

Earlier this year, the UK also became the first new country to accede to the CPTPP Pacific trade agreement. We are in the process of negotiating further free trade agreements, including a deal with India which would be the first the country has signed with a European country.

And on Thursday, the Prime Minister announced that UK scientists will have access to the world’s largest research collaboration programme, Horizon Europe, after he secured a bespoke deal with the EU.

In his engagements at the G20 today, the Prime Minister will stress the need for leaders in attendance to drive action on the biggest challenges facing the world, including stabilising the global economy and strengthening global security.
September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Scots director hit with 14-year ban for £2.8 million oil company investment scam [September 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 8 September 2023.

Kenneth James Campbell, 52, from Glasgow, was banned from being a company director at The Court of Session in Edinburgh on 16 August 2023, after swindling £2.8 million from investors who believed they were investing in an oil and gas venture in Texas, USA.

Campbell was sole director of HGEC Capital Ltd, a company which claimed to invest in petroleum and natural gas extraction, from its incorporation in March 2018 until it went into liquidation in February 2020.

An Insolvency Service investigation was triggered after complaints from investors to the company’s administrators following HGEC Capital’s demise.

The court heard that Campbell had sought investment in the company from clients between June 2018 until it folded in February 2020.

But investigators discovered that HGEC had operated as a Ponzi-like scheme, with Campbell using new funds to make negligible interest payments to existing investors. Most of the money was sent to third parties, and hundreds of thousands of pounds was paid to Campbell himself, with only around £430,000 invested in the intended scheme.

Investigators also found that Campbell paid himself £194,000, and payments of £360,000 were paid to consultants in HGEC. The total loss to investors when the company folded was £2.8 million .

Investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing by anyone other than Campbell, who had been solely responsible for the company’s finances.

Rob Clarke, Chief Investigator of Insolvent Investigations North at the Insolvency Service, said:

Many of Kenneth Campbell’s victims are members of the public who lost their life savings due to his deceit.

Campbell dishonestly took money from people at a time when he knew no investment would be made, and the lengthy disqualification ordered by the court illustrates the seriousness of his actions.

This ban should act as a strong deterrent to others who consider doing similar, and assure the public that the Insolvency Service will take the strongest action where such fraudulent actions are concerned.

As Campbell is sequestrated – the Scottish equivalent of being bankrupt – recovery of the remaining money has not been possible.

His 14-year disqualification, which began on 7 September 2023, will prevent him from acting as a director and becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

September 12, 2023