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PRESS RELEASE : Find out more about D-Day 80 at the British Normandy Memorial [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 October 2023.

The British Normandy Memorial will host a major British commemorative event to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6 June 2024.

Members of the public can register with the British Normandy Memorial to receive updates about their D-Day 80 events.

The 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings will be the first time this new memorial has been at the heart of major anniversary commemorations.

The British Normandy Memorial is the only memorial in Normandy listing the names of the 22,442 people who died under British command on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy.

The memorial was inaugurated by President of France Emmanuel Macron and then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May on 6 June 2019 during events to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

The UK Government and generous donors collaborated to fund the memorial, which was officially opened on 6 June 2021.

Register with the British Normandy Memorial to find out more about their D-Day 80 events.

20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Bayeux War Cemetery will host veterans of the Normandy campaign [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 October 2023.

Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission war cemetery of the Second World War in France. It contains the graves of men originally buried on the battlefields and those who died in military hospitals in Bayeux.

The cemetery was started during the war by the 48th Graves Concentration Unit – a unit of the British Army responsible for recovering, identifying and burying the dead.

The cemetery was completed in 1952 and is now the final resting place of more than 4,100 Commonwealth servicemen, of whom nearly 340 remain unidentified. Also buried there are some 500 servicemen of other nations.

Opposite the cemetery stands the Bayeux Memorial, which bears the names of more than 1,800 men and women of the Commonwealth land forces who fell during Operation Overlord and have no known grave.

They died during the landings, the intense fighting in Normandy, and in the advance to the River Seine in August 1944. Both the cemetery and the memorial were designed by Philip Hepworth.

The Latin inscription on the memorial recalls the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 and reads: “We, once conquered by William, have now set free the Conqueror’s native land.”

Both the cemetery and memorial are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, whose mission is to ensure those who died in service or as a result of conflict are commemorated so that they, and the human cost of war, are remembered for ever.

Veterans of D-Day will gather at the cemetery in June 2024 to pay respects to their fallen comrades who now lie at rest there. The cemetery is open daily and all are welcome.

The positions of the 18 CWGC war cemeteries in Normandy give an indication of the progress of the fighting following D-Day and its human cost.

There are more than 22,000 Commonwealth war dead buried in these cemeteries, but many more will be found in churchyards and village cemeteries throughout the region.

Visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website to find out more about Bayeux War Cemetery.

20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous driver Adil Iqbal ordered to spend longer in prison [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 13 October 2023.

Adil Iqbal, 22, from Accrington had his 12-year sentence increased to 15 years after the Solicitor General referred his conviction to the Court of Appeal as being unduly lenient.

The court heard that Iqbal had a history of driving offences, and was previously convicted of driving without insurance and driving while disqualified. He had also been given a warning from police after racing in another vehicle.

On 13 May 2023, Iqbal was driving a BMW at excessive speeds on the M66 heading towards Manchester.

He was travelling at 112mph when he swerved to avoid a collision with another car and ploughed into Frankie Jules-Hough’s car which was stationary on the hard shoulder.

Ms Jules-Hough was 17 weeks pregnant and travelling in the car with her two sons and nephew. She was airlifted to hospital but died two days later having suffered catastrophic injuries. Her unborn baby did not survive the collision.

Two of the children were placed in induced comas and their long-term health and well-being remains uncertain.

Iqbal denied driving at excessive speeds and blamed the loss of control on an issue with his vehicle’s rear tyres. He also refused to provide the PIN to unlock his mobile phone.

However, investigations uncovered that in the moments leading up to the collision, Iqbal was filming himself travelling at speeds between 107 and 123mph.

The Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said:

Adil Iqbal’s driving that day ripped apart a young family that had so much to look forward to – not least welcoming a new baby. It is deplorable enough that he was travelling at such excessive speed but endangering lives further by filming himself was simply inexcusable.

I am pleased the court has recognised the severity of his crimes and hope Iqbal’s increased sentence sends a stark warning to people who think it is acceptable to drive at high speeds and put the lives of others in jeopardy. You risk being punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Adil Iqbal was sentenced on 19 July 2023 to 12 years’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 13 years after he was convicted of one count of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

On Friday 13 October 2023, the Court of Appeal increased Adil Iqbal’s sentence to 15 years. The Court also increased the disqualification period to five years with a 10 year extension.

20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister accelerates military support to Northern Europe following visit to Sweden [October 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 October 2023.

The Prime Minister has vowed to step up the UK’s presence in Northern Europe, deepen cooperation on tackling hybrid threats and protect Critical National Infrastructure with Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partners as he met fellow leaders today.
- More than 20,000 British troops to be deployed across Northern Europe next year
- Comes as the Prime Minister warns we must not be complacent after Putin’s embarrassing failures in Ukraine embolden his disruptive behaviour elsewhere
- Prime Minister meets Joint Expeditionary Force leaders in Gotland after staying on board Royal Navy warship – the first Prime Minister to do so in more than 50 years
The Prime Minister has vowed to step up the UK’s presence in northern Europe, deepen cooperation on tackling hybrid threats and protect Critical National Infrastructure with Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partners as he met fellow leaders today.

More than 20,000 British troops will be deployed to the region next year, which is vital for the protection of Critical National Infrastructure, as the exploitation of hybrid activities and strategic competition in the area accelerates.

Meeting northern European leaders today on the strategically important island of Gotland to discuss the challenges facing the region, as well as the situation in Israel, the Prime Minister warned that Putin’s failures in Ukraine were emboldening Russia’s irresponsible behaviour in other parts of Europe.

He told leaders that while Putin had lost significant ground in Ukraine since he launched his barbaric invasion, allies and partners should not be lulled into a false sense of security. The Kremlin was reinvesting in military capability and turning to a diminishing number of malevolent and marginalised partners to try and rebuild its strength and undermine global stability.

His warning came after damage was detected earlier this week to two pipelines between Estonia and Finland, and HMS Queen Elizabeth was forced to launch fast jets from her deck in the Arctic last week to escort Russian Maritime Patrol Aircraft that flew close to the Carrier Strike Group operating in the region.

JEF leaders discussed today how they can address Russia’s sabotaging behaviour in the region, both through stronger defence collaboration and increasing industrial cooperation.

The Prime Minister outlined how accelerating defence industrial cooperation within Europe and across the Atlantic was vital to ensuring nations maintain a technological advantage over Russia and protect partners from Russian attacks for generations to come.

As part of that ambition, the Prime Minister also set out how the UK will accelerate its military cooperation in the region to help detect, deter and defuse traditional and hybrid threats.

That acceleration will include sending more than 20,000 soldiers, sailors, marines and air men and women to the region next year, alongside 8 Royal Navy ships, 25 fast jets and an aviation task force of Apache, Chinook and Wildcat helicopters. They will take part in large-scale, multi-country exercises, as well as carrying out air policing and cold weather training.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

This week, we have seen yet again that our security cannot be taken for granted. It is vital that we stand united against those with malign intent.

As the international order continues to be challenged by desperate dictators, rogue states, and terrorist organisations – like Hamas – we must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our international friends and partners to defend our values, security and prosperity.

Northern Europe is vital to our national security, which is why it’s more important than ever that we work with our Joint Expeditionary Force neighbours to protect our backyard and deter damaging hybrid threats.

The UK’s Carrier Strike Group is already in the region for its autumn deployment, underlining the UK’s commitment to the area. The group is led by flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth and accompanied by five British ships, F35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets and Wildcat helicopters.

The Prime Minister stayed on destroyer HMS Diamond, which is docked in Visby, last night, before having breakfast with British sailors this morning. According to Royal Navy archives, he is the first Prime Minister to overnight on a Royal Navy warship since the late Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1968.

The ship is a vital component of the strike group, providing state-of-the-art air and missile defence capabilities. It is docked in Visby as part of the group’s work with Sweden during their autumn deployment.

The carrier group, including HMS Queen Elizabeth, will return early next year to lead the UK’s contribution to the first phase of NATO’s most ambitious military drill since the Cold War, Exercise Steadfast Defender.

The operation will span almost six months and see 16,000 UK soldiers deploy to Estonia and Norway.

The deployments come as the Prime Minister deepened the UK’s relationship with Sweden today, signing a strategic partnership with the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

The partnership will expand cooperation on security and defence, innovation, science, energy, trade and investment. It builds on the UK’s security assurances to Sweden, which were signed last year ahead of the country’s accession to NATO.

The Prime Minister also agreed a new ambitious Green Industrial Partnership with Norway, which will seek to drive both countries’ transition to more clean and secure energy by enabling deeper cooperation on areas like offshore wind, low emission transport and critical minerals.

The agreement will benefit supply chains and support skills in low carbon sectors, as well as improving the security and resilience of critical infrastructure.
20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Støre of Norway [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 October 2023.

The Prime Minister met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Summit in Gotland today.

The leaders reflected on the discussions over the course of the JEF summit, including on the tragic situation in Israel and the grouping’s steadfast support for Ukraine.

The leaders welcomed the launch of the new Green Industrial Partnership between the UK and Norway.

The ambitious partnership would reinforce energy security and Critical National Infrastructure resilience in the region and bring real benefits to supply chains and economies in both countries, the Prime Minister added.

Discussing recent events in the region, the leaders agreed on the vital need to reinforce security around subsea infrastructure.

They agreed to stay in close touch.

20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Amplifying civil society voices – UK closing statement at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown reiterates UK support for OSCE’s Human Dimension institutions and commitments.

Thank you, Chair. Good morning.

With the closing of the second Chair’s Warsaw Human Dimension Conference in two years, we have much to consider. I would first like to thank North Macedonian as our Chair in Office, for its determination to hold this meeting in the face of Russian obstructionism. I also express our appreciation and thanks to ODIHR Director Mecacci and his entire team for preparing and delivering this conference.

Over the past two weeks we have we heard countless examples of the most egregious human rights violations committed by Russia at home and through its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As we have listened, we have considered the question, what more can we do to support civil society and those impacted by Putin’s war of choice.

We recall that the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting the agenda of which was blocked again by Russia this year, is one of our OSCE commitments. It was established so that participating States could hold each other to account. We have always valued the opportunity this offered. However, in addition to trampling over the most basic human dimension commitments through its actions in Ukraine, Russia chooses not to engage or to explain its behaviour.

Civil society participation has always been a high point of Human Dimension Implementation Meetings. We are grateful to those who have again told their stories this year. Your input greatly enriches our discussions. Through the thematic plenary sessions and brilliant side events, we have heard the challenges faced by the most vulnerable. We have also seen clear examples of what the Moscow Mechanism report told us last year. Namely that internal repression enables external aggression. We have heard from those and about those, including Vladimir Kara-Murza who are paying the price for challenge and dissent. Your participation and understanding these lived experiences are paramount. Thank you for being with us.

We remind those participating States that constantly seek to undermine the work and block the mandates of the OSCE’s human dimension institutions that we established these institutions together to assist us in the implementation of our commitments.  Let the institutions do their work.

The UK Government is committed to continuing to support and amplify the voices from those in civil society and holding Russia to account. We will challenge and accept challenge of our own actions against the commitments we have made. We hope that all participating States will join us, so we can work together to stand united against the violence and repression that remains present across the OSCE region.

20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Appointments to Parades Commission for Northern Ireland [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 13 October 2023.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland invites applications for the appointment of chair and five new members to the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland.

The appointment of the Chair and four of the Commissioners will be made with effect from 1 January 2024 and a further appointment will be made with effect from 1 April 2024.

Further details of the positions and application pack can be found at:

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles

Alternatively, the application can be obtained by email to PCNI2023@nio.gov.uk. This information can be made available, on request, in other formats.

The closing date for applications is 29 October 2023. Completed applications should be sent by email to: PCNI2023@nio.gov.uk.

Equality of Opportunity

Appointments will be made on merit and with regard to the equality provisions set out in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Sex offender Michael King ordered to spend longer in prison [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 13 October 2023.

A convicted sex offender has been ordered to spend longer in prison after his case was reviewed by the Court of Appeal.

Michael King (57), from East London, has seen his prison sentence for multiple sexual offences increase to 19 years after the Solicitor General referred his conviction as being unduly lenient.

King was sentenced on 14 July 2023 at St Albans Crown Court to 16 years, plus an extended licence period of 4 years.

He was convicted of having sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, attempted sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, indecency with a child, and indecent assault.

The court heard the offences were committed in the early 1990s when the offender was 25 and the victim was nine or 10.

Solicitor General, Michael Tomlinson KC MP, said:

The offender is a dangerous predator who preyed on a child for his own sexual gratification. I was appalled by this case and the court has rightfully concluded that he should serve longer behind bars.

On Thursday 12 October 2023, the Court of Appeal increased King’s sentence to 19 years after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. His four-year extended license remained unchanged

On 16 May 2023, King was convicted after a trial of seven counts of having sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, contrary to section 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956; attempting to commit such an offence; four counts of indecency with a child, contrary to section 1 of the Indecency with Children Act 1960; and three counts of indecent assault, contrary to section 14 of the 1956 Act.

20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 October 2023.

The Prime Minister met with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Sweden today.

Discussing the situation in Israel, the leaders condemned the barbaric terror attacks and reflected on the profound implication they had for Israel and the region.

They also underscored the importance of avoiding wider regional escalation and taking steps to ensure that humanitarian concerns were addressed.

It was vital to ensure Jewish communities across Europe felt supported and safe following the recent events, the leaders added.

Discussing Ukraine, the Prime Minister updated on UK support and welcomed Denmark’s strong contribution to the fast jet coalition. They reiterated the importance of continuing to work together to deliver fast jet capability to Ukraine as quickly as possible.

Reflecting on the strength of the UK – Denmark relationship, the Prime Minister said he looked forward to deepening ties between the two countries.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

20/10/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Homes England’s Director of Affordable Housing Grants to retire after 32-year housing career [October 2023]
The press release issued by Housing England on 13 October 2023.

Jackie Jacob has played a critical role in the provision of affordable homes across the country.

Jackie Jacob, Homes England’s Director of Affordable Housing Grants, is to retire in December following a 32-year career with the Agency and its predecessor organisations.

Throughout her career Jackie has worked tirelessly to drive and improve the provision of affordable housing across England, supporting local authorities, housing associations and the wider housing sector including a considerable period in the late 90s with the regulator.

She has played a key part in the delivery of hundreds of thousands of quality, safe, permanent homes to help people in temporary or challenging accommodation conditions.

Jackie has stewarded more than £20 billion in grant funding over the last 15 years alone, delivering thousands of much needed affordable homes each year, with over 90,000 since the beginning of 2020 alone.

Homes England Chief Executive Peter Denton said:

Jackie’s unsurpassed passion and dedication to the sector has translated into a life changing impact on countless individuals and families. Over many years I have seen first-hand her skill in translating policy and strategy into the human, delivering social justice by providing more homes for more people where they are most needed.

I am sad she is leaving, but I wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement. What is wonderful is her approach is infectious and she leaves behind an excellent team who share her dedication. We have now commenced the search for the right person to take on Jackie’s mantle, one of the most important roles in housing.

Jackie added:

After an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career in the affordable housing sector and 32 years at Homes England I am announcing my retirement. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at Homes England and look forward to seeing the work of the Agency, in the years ahead.

I would like to thank my team for their hard work and dedication in providing the tools our partners need to deliver more affordable homes for those who need them, and I have no doubt they will continue their fantastic work. It has been a pleasure and a privilege working with a wide range of talented people from across the sector.

Notes to Editors:
- In the late 90s and early 2000s Jackie held senior roles in the affordable housing sector with a focus on housing regulation and investment in London, delivering major housing projects in the capital. In the lead up to devolution in London, she stayed in the region to help support the transition as the Homes and Communities Agency’s (HCA) powers In London transferred to the Greater London Authority
- During the 2008 market downturn, Jackie played a key role in advising the government and the wider sector on possible interventions and helping to deliver the Agency’s response to stabilise the housing market.
- Throughout her career Jackie has been involved in the design and management of multiple Affordable Homes Programmes and other grant and loan programmes. Alongside the main AHP this includes Help to Buy, Custom Build, Affordable Housing Guarantees, Community Led Housing, Move On Fund, and more recently the Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme, her input has been instrumental.
- Recruitment for the new Director for Affordable Housing Grant is now underway.
About Homes England

As the government’s housing and regeneration agency we believe that affordable, quality homes in well-designed places are key to improving people’s lives. We make this happen by using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to both – bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built.
20/10/2023