Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

Mr William Longhurst has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Minsk in succession to Mr David Ward.

Mr Longhurst will take up his appointment during July 2026.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: William Jesse Longhurst

Year	Role
2024 to 2026	FCDO, Full time Language Training in Russian
2019 to 2024	British Embassy Berne, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General to Switzerland & Liechtenstein
2019	FCO, Full time Language Training in German
2018	FCO, Deputy Head, Global Britain Task Force
2014 to 2018	Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
2011 to 2013	FCO, Deputy Head, ASEAN Department
2007 to 2011	British Embassy Belgrade, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General
2006 to 2007	FCO, Full time Language Training in Serbian
2001 to 2006	UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, First Secretary (Finance and Management Reform)
1998 to 2001	Department of Trade and Industry, Head of Exports to Japan Unit
1995 to 1998	British Embassy Tokyo, First Secretary (Commercial)
1992 to 1995	British Embassy Seoul, Third Secretary (Economic), later Second Secretary (Political and Information)
1990 1991	FCO Assistant Desk Officer, Economic Relations Department
1990	Joined Foreign & Commonwealth Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

UK Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Mr President,

Thank you, High Commissioner,

In Iran, the killing of thousands of Iran’s own people, including the continued execution of protesters, lays bare Iran’s longstanding violent suppression of peaceful dissent. This Council condemned that brutality in January, and we remain steadfast in supporting international accountability efforts.

Four years on from your Office’s Xinjiang Assessment, China has not implemented its recommendations. Human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet continue. We support your efforts to understand the impact of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress on ethnic and religious minorities.

The situation in Afghanistan is alarming. The erosion of the rights of women and girls, and religious and ethnic minorities, is deeply troubling. As UN reports make clear, Taliban decrees entrench gender inequality, restrict access to justice, and institutionalise religious discrimination. We condemn these laws.

In Russia, the Kremlin claims to act for the Russian people but crushes dissent and uses repressive legislation to create a climate of fear internally while targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. In Russia, people are behind bars for exercising their human rights.

We must shine a spotlight on Russia to hold it to account for its repression of Russian people – and its continued atrocities in Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

Sri Lanka Core Group Statement on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you Mr President.

This statement is by the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom.

High Commissioner, we thank your Office for its continued work on Sri Lanka.

We acknowledge government efforts to enable communities to commemorate peacefully, and without disruption, the loss of life at the end of the armed conflict in 2009.

While we note some progress in long-standing human rights cases, reports persist of intimidation of witnesses and family members. Meaningful progress in these cases is essential to address impunity and restore public confidence . We also urge necessary reforms to the criminal justice system to expedite prosecutions in other emblematic cases.

We acknowledge developments in certain mass grave investigations. We urge that excavations meet international standards and much greater progress addressing enforced disappearances. Implementation of a credible, inclusive reconciliation process supported by affected communities remains vital.

Ongoing reports of harassment of human rights defenders, especially women defenders, are troubling.

We are also concerned by the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and urge the Government to introduce legislation consistent with its international human rights obligations.

We stand ready to support Sri Lanka in advancing reforms, in line with its international commitments.

Thank you

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

UK thanks Pakistan for their leadership in brokering the US-Iran peace deal and bolsters joint efforts to tackle illegal immigration into the UK.

• Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer uses a visit to Islamabad to thank Pakistan for their leadership in brokering the US-Iran peace deal.  
• Visit underlines longstanding UK support for stability in the Middle East and for Pakistan’s mediation role. 
• Minister bolsters joint UK-Pakistan efforts to tackle illegal immigration into the UK with additional funding to target underlying drivers which entice people to illegally travel to the UK. 

The UK has welcomed the news of a peace deal between the US and Iran, following intense negotiations brokered by partners including Pakistan.  

On the first day of his visit to Islamabad, Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, personally thanked Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, for Pakistan’s role in reaching this significant moment.  

He reiterated the UK’s steadfast support for stability in the Middle East, and made clear the UK would continue to do all it could to work with partners such as Pakistan to shore up this opportunity for a lasting peace. 

During his meetings with senior Pakistani leadership, the Minister also committed an additional £8 million to support joint UK–Pakistan efforts to tackle crime and illegal migration. The funding will be used to strengthen border and visa systems and bring in expertise to help Pakistani law enforcement disrupt people‑smuggling and trafficking networks.

It will also support the return of individuals with no right to remain in the UK and fund community‑based programmes in high‑risk areas to address the root causes of illegal migration. This includes support for improving identity and information‑sharing processes, strengthening law enforcement capability to investigate smuggling networks, and expanding community‑based prevention programmes that reduce vulnerability to exploitation. 

Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, said: 

The news of a US-Iran deal is a hugely significant moment and I am pleased to convey my personal thanks, and that of the UK, to Pakistan during my visit here in Islamabad. Pakistan has played a critical role in brokering this opportunity for regional stability and we stand ready to work together to support a path to lasting peace. 

The UK-Pakistan partnership is critical for safeguarding global, regional and UK national security – working closely together to tackle terrorist threats, visa fraud and serious organised crime.  

We are taking this partnership and our co-operation to a new level, with additional funding to deter illegal migration and target drivers from the source.

We remain grateful for the role Pakistan has played in facilitating negotiations. The UK and our partners will continue to work together to see the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

On his second visit to the country as an FCDO Minister, the Minister will also witness a live demonstration of joint work by law enforcement to tackle illegal migration. Backed by UK support, this work sees Pakistani authorities intercept non-genuine visa holders at Pakistani airports, ensuring only eligible travellers and students travel to the UK.  

This visit will follow meetings between Minister Falconer and Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and the Higher Education Commission to discuss closer practical collaboration to deter visa abuse.  

Deepening the UK-Pakistan partnership is critical for ensuring UK and global security, with the UK providing counter-terrorism assistance to Pakistan to train civilians in investigating and prosecuting terrorist cases. As part of his visit, Minister Falconer met with Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan to discuss the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, encourage a return to dialogue, and offer UK support to tackle the terrorist threat from Afghanistan. 

The UK government is steadfast in its commitment to secure borders and national security. Building and deepening international partnerships is critical in delivering this.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

Mr Paul Simister has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, in succession to Mr Neil Bradley, who has transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

Mr Simister will take up his appointment during June 2026.

Curriculum vitae       

Full name: Paul Richard Simister            

Date	Role
2026	FCDO, Deputy Head, West Africa Department
2025 to 2026	FCDO, Pre-posting Training, Short-term Assignments
2024 to 2025	FCDO, Head, Global Health Security Team, Africa Directorate
2023 to 2024	FCDO, Head, Financial Services Team, International Finance Directorate
2023	FCDO, Head, Climate and Nature Team, Africa Directorate
2021 to 2023	Yaoundé, Development Counsellor and non-resident Deputy Ambassador to Gabon
2019 to 2021	DFID, Senior Private Sector Development Adviser, Climate and Environment Directorate
2018 to 2019	Abidjan, UK Adviser to the African Development Bank
2016 to 2018	DFID, Private Sector Development Adviser, Economic Development Directorate
2016	Joined DFID

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.

Mr President,

We continue to regret that the Commission of Inquiry was established on an open-ended basis. Nevertheless, the UK remains committed to upholding human rights and recognises the value of proportionate scrutiny of allegations of violations and abuses by all parties in Israel and Palestine.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains intolerable. Urgent action is needed to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. All parties must comply with IHL, including on the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, and the principle of distinction.

We are also deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, including continued settler violence, illegal settlement expansion, and ongoing demolitions and displacement. The UK has taken action, including through sanctions and guidance to UK businesses, to deter and counter support for illegal settlements and those responsible for related violence.

The UK continues to support efforts to restore and sustain a ceasefire, including the disarmament of Hamas and an end to its control of Gaza, and a return to a credible political process toward a two-state solution, delivering lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

What steps does the Commission see as most effective in advancing accountability and addressing the drivers of violence?

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

UK announces major new sanctions package choking off Russia’s war effort across multiple fronts.

• UK announces 70 new sanctions targeting Russia’s decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks used to circumvent sanctions.  
• UK ramps up pressure on Russia during G7 Summit following latest abhorrent attacks against Ukraine,  killing innocent civilians and destroying holy sites.
• The UK has now sanctioned almost 500 individuals, entities and ships under its Russia sanctions regime in 2026 alone, as allied support for Ukraine tops the G7 agenda.  

The UK has unleashed a major new sanctions package choking off Russia’s war effort across multiple fronts.  

New action directly targets Russia’s illicit shadow fleet and finance networks used to circumvent Western sanctions and support military procurement.   

Today’s sanctions further crack down on Russia’s decrepit and ageing shadow fleet, targeting more than 20 oil tankers with new and enhanced powers introduced last month. The UK is also tightening the net around those who are suspected of enabling Putin’s illicit oil trade, further sanctioning ship insurers and other shipping services.  

The UK is the first G7 country to sanction several Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels recently acquired by Russia at great expense to service Russia’s sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project, responsible for exporting millions of tonnes of LNG, in an attempt to source dirty revenue for the Kremlin.    

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

These sanctions target the vessels, the money and the actors propping up Russia’s war economy, and in turn, threatening European security.

Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure in Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia’s war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 

As the Kremlin resorts to ever more shady tactics to sustain its war, from its ageing shadow fleet to covert finance networks, the UK remains one step ahead in shutting them down. 

These sanctions strike at the heart of these murky efforts, to starve Putin’s war machine and defend Britain’s security. 

Shoulder to shoulder with our G7 partners, the UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Those who are suspected of enabling the sale of tankers to Russia’s shadow fleet will be exposed and face action. UK sanctions are greatly limiting Russia’s ability to trade oil – in 2025 the Arctic LNG-2 terminal only exported 1.3 million tons of LNG despite having capacity to export over 13.5 million tons a year.   

To date, the UK has now sanctioned more than 600 shadow fleet and Russian LNG vessels. 

New measures also expose and target a Russian military intelligence (GRU) network centred around GRU front company LLC Neptune Co Ltd (‘Neptune’).

Neptune is involved in covertly procuring western technology for Russia’s military.

Today’s actions target three companies and 10 GRU officers suspected of acquiring military technology that Russia desperately needs to sustain its military aggression in Ukraine.  

Elsewhere, sanctions also hit third country suppliers of critical military equipment to Russia in China, Thailand and Türkiye. Several organisations helping Russia illegally move money, bypassing western sanctions, are also targeted including one entity in Nigeria supporting the illicit finance network A7’s sanctions evasions scheme.

Gathering in Évian-les-Bains, G7 Leaders will discuss their joint determination to tackle the single largest threat to global security – Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.  

As the UK increases pressure on Russia’s war economy, today’s action demonstrates an unshakeable determination to defend security in Ukraine, Europe and at home.

Notes to editors:  

• UK cracks down on backdoor Russian sanctions evasion with tough new measures
• In total, the UK has committed up to £21.8 billion for Ukraine:
  • £13 billion in military support (including our £2.26 billion ERA Loan contribution)  
  • £5.3 billion in non-military support (including bilateral assistance and fiscal guarantees)   
  • £3.5 billion cover limit in export finance (via UK Export Finance for reconstruction and defence projects)    
• The UK is a leading bilateral donor, having committed £1.2billion in bilateral support, including over £577million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the region since the start of the full-scale invasion. We are committing up to £283million in bilateral assistance for 2025 to 2026, to fund humanitarian, energy, stabilisation, reform, recovery and reconstruction programmes.
• View the full UK sanctions list
• View the full list of Russia sanctions designations, 16 June 2026