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PRESS RELEASE : Careless driver, Keilan Roberts, has sentence increased [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 11 September 2023.

A man who got behind the wheel with a lethal cocktail of alcohol and drugs in his system before killing a girl he had met on the same night has had his sentence increased.

Keilan Roberts (22), from Rhymney, Caerphilly County, has had his three years and nine months prison sentence overturned by the Court of Appeal and increased to five years and three months after the Solicitor General referred the original sentence as being unduly lenient.

Roberts also saw his driving disqualification increased from 10 years to 12 years and seven-and-a-half months.

The court heard that on the evening of 24 July 2022, Keilan Roberts met Chloe Hayman in a nightclub while on a night out in Pontypridd, Wales.

The pair had been given a lift home by a mutual friend before Keilan Roberts and Chloe Hayman continued their journey in Keilan Roberts’ car.

But as Keilan Roberts approached a cattle grid just outside Fochriw, near Bargoed, Caerphilly, he mounted the kerb and collided with a metal railing and stone wall. Chloe Hayman sustained grave injuries and died at the scene.

Keilan Robert’s blood sample taken at his arrest showed he had a lethal cocktail of alcohol and drugs in his system.

The Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said:

“This was a tragic case where a young person died because of the offender’s careless actions. I want to express my sincere sympathies to Chloe’s family for their loss.

“When you get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence you are not only putting yourself in danger but your passengers and everyone else on the road. The court’s decision to increase the sentence should serve as a strong warning that reckless behaviour will be punished to the full extent of the law.”

Keilan Roberts pleaded guilty to four counts of causing death by careless driving and was sentenced on 6 June 2023 at Newport Crown Court to three years and nine months imprisonment. He also was disqualified from driving for 10 years.

On 8 September 2023, the Court of Appeal increased Keilan Roberts’ sentence after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

13/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2023.

During his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week, the Foreign Secretary met the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary met Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu today during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised the strength of our bilateral relationship and welcomed the free trade negotiations underway.

The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of the UK and Israel’s shared democratic values that underpin our strategic partnership and encouraged Prime Minister Netanyahu to seek any judicial reform through the achievement of the broadest possible consensus.

He and Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed the UK and Israel’s continued cooperation on major geopolitical challenges, in the region and around the world.

The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international law. He expressed the UK’s solidarity with Israel following repeated terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.

He also outlined his concern with ongoing tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the importance of both Israelis and Palestinians taking meaningful action to de-escalate tensions, including by addressing settler violence.

13/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary meets Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2023.

During his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week, the Foreign Secretary met the Foreign Minister of Israel, Eli Cohen.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary met with Foreign Minister Cohen this afternoon during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the UK and Israel’s thriving partnership, building on their meeting in London in March to sign the UK-Israel 2030 roadmap.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed the work underway to negotiate an enhanced and modernised Free Trade Agreement and encouraged Israel to demonstrate increased ambition in order to secure the best possible deal.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised continued UK concern about any departure from the democratic values that underpin our strategic partnership.

The Foreign Secretary acknowledged the heightened tensions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He expressed his condolences following repeated terror attacks against Israeli citizens and reaffirmed the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international law.

The Foreign Secretary urged both Israelis and Palestinians to take meaningful action to de-escalate tensions and to preserve the two-state solution including, in the case of Israel, to stop settlement expansion and act to prevent settler violence and the culture of impunity.

He and Foreign Minister Cohen welcomed the UK and Israel’s continued cooperation on tackling the threat posed by Iran. The Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine and highlighted the importance of Israel’s support, including towards Ukrainian reconstruction.

13/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Afghanistan [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2023.

Statement for Item 2: Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on human rights situation in Afghanistan. Delivered by Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

Thank you, Mr President.

Let me start by thanking the Special Rapporteur for his longstanding and determined efforts to continue to shed light on the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

We have all watched in horror and sadness as the Taliban have continued their campaign of repression and violence against Afghan women and girls. The ongoing restrictions to the rights of women and girls across every sphere of their lives – in education, in health, in employment, and in freedom of movement – is deplorable. The impact on their wellbeing and livelihood is truly unimaginable. One recent outrage was the closure of beauty salons, severely impacting thousands of women, a number of whom were then punished for bravely protesting the decision.

This coincides with tens of millions of Afghans who are also now in need of humanitarian aid, including many women and children. The UK stands with the international community in helping the Afghan people.

Special Rapporteur,

The Taliban must respond to the needs of the Afghan people. Their call for “work, bread, justice” must be heard.

How can we best communicate our concerns to the Taliban in a way they will understand? How can we better support those who are standing up for human rights in Afghanistan?

Thank you.

13/09/2023
Chris Heaton-Harris – 2023 Speech at the PEACE PLUS Launch

The speech made by Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, at the Newforge Sports Centre in Belfast on 11 September 2023.

Good morning everyone, and thank you to Eimear for her very warm introduction, and to Gina and her team for setting up a fantastic launch event.

It is wonderful to be here today, at the New Forge Community Development Trust, and to be joined by colleagues from the Irish Government, European Commission and the Northern Ireland Civil Service. I think we can all see, from this fantastic complex, just some of the positive outcomes that have stemmed from a series of long-running peace funding packages that have operated since 1995.

Let me start by saying thank you to everyone here that continues to work on securing the peace that the people on this island enjoy in their everyday lives today and helping to move towards a more reconciled society.

Thank you too to the Irish Government and the European Commission for your work getting the financing agreement over the line, ensuring funding can flow to those who need it most and delivering those essential projects that promote stability, foster cohesion and build prosperity.

As we are all aware, over the course of this year, communities across Northern Ireland have marked the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. This landmark agreement continues to be an extraordinary achievement for Northern Ireland, helping to lay the foundation of the more peaceful, free and prosperous society that we see today. We can be proud to see the huge strides of progress made over the past 25 years.

Although we have a positive story to tell in-terms of delivering on the promise of the Agreement over the past 25 years, we also acknowledge that there is more to be done to realise other aspects of the Agreement’s ambition for a society that is reconciled with the past and able to look to the future.

In view of our unyielding commitment to upholding the Agreement, we will continue to work tirelessly to secure an even brighter, more reconciled future for Northern Ireland, thereby enabling it to look forward.

That is why we continue to support the work of the SEUPB, following the UK’s exit from the European Union. We are providing more than £730 million to the programme (almost 75% of the budget), which includes match funding contributions from the Northern Ireland Executive. Together with contributions from the European Commission and Ireland of over £250 million, this brings the total up to almost £1 billion, a huge investment from across the international stage towards peace and prosperity as we mark the anniversary of the Agreement and look forward to the next 25 years.

Since being appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I have had the opportunity to visit many of the brilliant people, businesses, social enterprises and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland who are determined to improve the lives of their families and communities, and just this morning, I have been speaking to some of you about how you’ve been working towards achieving these objectives.

I can see the great value and impact that you all have in communities across Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland, and I am proud that this funding is available to support the vital ongoing work to promote peace and reconciliation and contribute to cross-border economic and territorial development.

This week also signifies an important moment for Northern Ireland. Tomorrow leading investors and international businesses will arrive in Belfast for the Northern Ireland Investment Summit, as we bring together one of the largest groups of investors Northern Ireland has ever seen.

This in itself is a testimony to the huge progress made over the last 25 years and I am proud that we are able to promote the unique economic strengths and opportunities in Northern Ireland on a global stage. I have no doubt that the partnerships formed in Belfast this week will lead Northern Ireland to a more prosperous future.

The Windsor Framework agreed with the EU earlier this year also marks a new era of partnership for the UK and EU and a stable framework for the future. The Framework delivers stability for the people of Northern Ireland, protects Northern Ireland’s place in the Union, and preserves the balance in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

Too often, in politics, we focus on the issues that divide us. PEACE PLUS is there to counter this tendency; to promote peace and reconciliation. I know you will all agree that PEACE PLUS comes at a critical time and, as in previous programmes, will significantly contribute to and support those initiatives aimed at fostering cohesion across all communities.

I am determined that the PEACE PLUS projects and activities will promote stability while also contributing to the economy; building prosperity and supporting the levelling up of Northern Ireland’s economy with the rest of the UK. A commitment I know is shared across the sponsors of this programme.

13/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New intelligence shows Russia’s targeting of a cargo ship [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2023.

New intelligence shows the intended target of a Russian missile attack in the Black Sea was a cargo ship.
- intended target of a Russian missile attack in the Black Sea was a civilian cargo ship
- attacks thwarted by Ukrainian forces who shot down multiple missiles heading towards Odesa port
- since Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russian attacks have destroyed enough grain to feed more than one million people for a year
Intelligence shows that the Russian military targeted a cargo ship in the Black Sea with multiple missiles on 24 August.

The missiles, which included 2 Kalibr missiles fired from a Black Sea Fleet missile carrier, were successfully shot down by Ukraine’s forces on 24 August.

Intelligence shows that an intended target was a Liberian-flagged cargo ship berthed in the port.

This attack followed US government warnings that the Russian military may launch attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea.

Thanks to Ukraine’s air defence, the attack on the civilian ship failed. Not one of the Kalibr missiles reached its intended target.

Despite its failure, this is a clear demonstration of Russia’s continuing attempts to choke Ukraine’s economy, and President Putin’s disregard for the lives of civilians and the interests of countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Putin is trying to win a war he will not win, and these attacks show just how desperate he is.

In targeting cargo ships and Ukrainian infrastructure, Russia is hurting the rest of the world.

This is part of a pattern of Russian aggression in the Black Sea. In July, the Foreign Secretary said the UK believed Russia may target civilian ships in the Black Sea. The US has observed Russia laying more sea mines around Ukrainian ports, and footage showing the detonation of a sea mine in July.

Since July, Russia has systematically targeted Ukrainian port and civilian infrastructure. The attacks have so far destroyed 280,000 tonnes of grain – enough to feed over 1 million people for a year, and more than the total Russia promised to donate to African countries.

Russia has stopped even attempting to justify that these attacks are against legitimate military targets and is cynically targeting civilian infrastructure. President Putin’s intentions are clear for all to see. This is a brutal attempt to choke the Ukrainian economy.

While the UK and our partners continue to do all we can to ensure Ukraine’s exports reach those who need it most, this pattern of deliberately targeted attacks in the Black Sea by Russia demonstrates President Putin’s willingness to weaponise food and innocent trade at the expense of the rest of the world as they block food from reaching world markets.

Since its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia has:
- damaged 26 port infrastructure facilities in Odesa, Chornomorsk and Reni
- destroyed 280,000 tonnes of grain – more than the total amount Russia promised to donate to African states, and enough to feed over 1 million people for a year
- because of Russia’s decision to withdraw, up to 24 million tonnes of foodstuffs from Ukraine may now not reach global markets over the coming year
- before Russia’s invasion, Ukraine was feeding 400 million people worldwide and accounted for 8 to 10% of global wheat exports and 10 to 12% of corn and barley exports.
- Ukraine provided over 50% of the wheat for the World Food Programme in 2022 – without the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) the World Food Programme (WFP) will have to replace this with more expensive or lower quality wheat
13/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Big steps forward in capital markets cooperation with India [September 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 11 September 2023.

Indian firms could soon list in London, it has been announced as part of a package of plans unveiled today by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt alongside Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as they met in Delhi for face-to-face talks.
Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, today unveiled a series of shared economic and financial commitments with India, following talks with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi

the Chancellor welcomed India’s confirmation to explore London as a permitted jurisdiction for overseas direct listings of securities

agreements also include the launch of a partnership to boost cross-market investment by the insurance and pension sectors and an initiative to share expertise in structuring and financing major infrastructure projects

The news that India will explore potential London listings follows recent changes to Indian regulation to allow domestic companies to access global markets and underlines the UK capital’s strength as a hub for international capital raising.

In addition, a new UK-India Pensions and Insurance Partnership will support the growth of the sector in both countries. The partnership will focus on knowledge sharing, growing bilateral investment and diversifying risk, including through pension fund trade missions to encourage increased bilateral investment.

The launch of a UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge was also announced today. Co-led by Indian public policy think tank NITI Aayog and the City of London Corporation, the initiative will focus on sharing expertise in structuring and financing major infrastructure projects.

The announcements are part of a series of commitments unveiled following high-level meetings as part of the 12th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD).

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

“I’m very proud of the progress we’ve made through the UK-India EFD this time. It’s a big step forward to hear India confirming that they’ll explore the London Stock Exchange as an international destination for the direct listing of Indian companies.

“I see India as Asia’s Silicon Valley and the UK as Europe’s Silicon Valley, so there’s a lot we can work on together.”

Total trade between the UK and India was worth £36.6 billion in the last financial year, up over 34% year on year, with an £82 million increase in UK-Indian financial services trade over last year. EFDs are a regular way of deepening ties to grow the economies of both countries.

Investment between the UK and India so far already supports over half a million jobs across both economies, and UK businesses sold goods and services worth around £15 billion to India in 2022.

Today’s EFD was the first face to face meeting of its kind between a UK chancellor and Indian counterpart since 2017, with the most recent taking place virtually in 2021. India-UK trade has more than doubled since the first EFD in 2007.

Other major announcements as part of the EFD, include:

The signing of the UK guarantee to the World Bank to unlock an additional $1 billion of green financing in India. This will promote clean energy investment and support green growth targets, accelerating India’s climate transition and ability to meet COP26 commitments. It is hoped that it will encourage other international partners to support India and shape the world’s climate transition.

Agreement to explore new investment opportunities in areas of shared priority, including leveraging institutional capital to invest in climate adaptation and green businesses in India. This builds on the success of the Green Growth Equity Fund, India’s first dedicated climate change fund backed by British International Investment.

The EFD follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s visit to Delhi for the G20 leaders’ summit, where he announced that the 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, which will make a significant contribution towards the UK’s pledge to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance, cementing our global climate leadership.

It also comes after the recently announced ‘Alive with Opportunity’ campaign from the UK government, designed to showcase the deep bond between Britain and India and build on the continuous exchange of people, ideas and culture. The campaign is part of the UK’s ambitions to double trade with India by 2030.

Bill Winters, CBE, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered and UK Chair of the India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP), said:

“I was delighted to lead a delegation of UK business leaders to accompany the Chancellor of the Exchequer to New Delhi and participate in the EFD. The IUKFP is a crucial platform for UK-India cooperation on issues of critical importance to our respective financial and related professional services industries.

“This innovative public-private partnership has delivered real benefits for both our nations. We look forward to working with both governments to advance our shared goals, including deepening our bilateral trade and investment relationship, greening our financial systems, enhancing collaboration on financial innovation, and enabling cross-border data flows. India and the UK are natural partners, and there are valuable opportunities for us to learn from our respective successes and benefits to be gained by harnessing our full potential.”

Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, said:

“I am delighted that the City of London Corporation is able to play a part in the Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) through the India-UK Financial Partnership and our co-sponsorship of the UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB) with the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). This new infrastructure initiative is aimed at leveraging the City of London’s expertise in structuring and phasing major projects to meet India’s infrastructure needs – smoothing the path for long-term sustainable investment into India.

“The EFD marks the strength of the partnership between UK and India and lays an excellent foundation for future ventures between our financial and professional services sectors.”
13/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Sri Lanka [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2023.

Statement on report of OHCHR on promoting reconciliation, accountability & human rights in Sri Lanka. Delivered by UK Ambassador to the WTO & UN Simon Manley.

Thank you Madam Vice President,

Deputy-High Commissioner, let me thank you for your report and update.

The UK welcomes Sri Lanka’s initial commitments to implement devolution in line with the constitution, to address land issues, and to advance governance legislation. It is important that these commitments are matched by tangible progress on the ground.

We also note longstanding commitments to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and urge the Government to ensure terrorism legislation is consistent with Sri Lanka’s international obligations. We encourage too the further release of long-term detainees.

We call on Sri Lanka to safeguard the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and to freedom of expression. The right to freedom of religion or belief must be respected, and communities must be allowed to remember their loved ones.

The discovery of another mass grave [in Mullaitivu] highlights the urgent need for an adequately resourced, independent, and transparent approach to dealing with the past.

Justice, accountability, and reconciliation are at the heart of our approach and we hope in Sri Lankans. We acknowledge commitments to make progress in transitional justice and urge Sri Lanka to ensure any process carries the support of victim communities, builds upon past recommendations, and meets international standards.

Thank you.

13/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – Joint Statement on Sri Lanka [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2023.

Statement by Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, N Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro, United Kingdom and United States. Delivered by UK Ambassador, Rita French.

High Commissioner,

We welcome your report on Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has made important recent commitments on land issues and devolution of political authority. We encourage Sri Lanka to turn these commitments into meaningful action and deliver long-awaited results. Sri Lanka still has a long way to go to fulfil commitments to justice, accountability, and reconciliation.

We note preparations for a truth and reconciliation commission, and emphasise the importance of an inclusive participatory process in the establishment of any mechanisms to advance transitional justice, to gain the confidence of all affected communities, in line with international best practices.

We are concerned by continued incidents of intimidation and harassment of civil society and journalists, and by the arbitrary use of laws to suppress dissent.

As Sri Lanka takes forward its economic recovery, we stress the importance of effective governance reforms and note the recent anti-corruption legislation. This must be accompanied by safeguarding established independent institutions, and democratic processes.

We call on Sri Lanka to work with the High Commissioner and his office [and remain ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing HRC resolution 51/1.]

13/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Jonathan Bewes appointed as Non-Executive Director to the Court of the Bank of England [September 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 11 September 2023.

In this role Jonathan will also become the Chair of the Court’s Audit and Risk Committee and will take up the role later this Autumn.

The Chancellor has announced that Jonathan Bewes has been appointed as a new Non-Executive Director of the Court of the Bank of England, and will become the Chair of the Court’s Audit and Risk Committee. His Majesty The King has approved the appointment.

Jonathan will take up his role in Autumn 2023 for a term lasting four years.

The Bank’s Court acts as the governing body responsible for setting the organisation’s strategy, budget and taking key decisions on resourcing and appointments. The Audit and Risk Committee assists Court in meeting its responsibilities for an effective system of risk management, internal control and financial reporting, among other duties.

David Roberts, the Chair of the Bank’s Court, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Jonathan Bewes to the Bank of England’s Court of Directors. Jonathan will Chair the Bank’s Audit and Risk Committee, a sub-Committee of Court. Jonathan’s extensive experience, expertise and skills will provide both Committees and the Bank with key insights and challenge.”

About the appointments

The Bank of England is the central bank of the UK. It is governed by the board of directors known as the Court of Directors. Further information can be found at the Bank of England website.

All members of Court are appointed by His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process. In accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any is declared) to be made public. Jonathan has confirmed he has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years

This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, who provides independent assurance that appointments are made in accordance with the Government’s Principles of Public Appointments and Governance Code.

About Jonathan Bewes

Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, Jonathan has spent over 30 years in the Banking Industry. The majority of this time was spent with Robert Fleming, UBS and Bank of America Merrill Lynch acting as an Investment Banking adviser to the Boards of large, predominantly U.K. public companies on a wide range of financial, strategic and governance issues. From 2017 until earlier this year, he served as Vice Chairman, Corporate and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered Bank. Jonathan also sits on the Board of Next plc, where he is the Senior Independent Director and chairs the Audit Committee and on the Board of Sage Group plc, where he chairs the Audit and Risk Committee

13/09/2023