Tag: 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
PRESS RELEASE : The Kremlin has pre-determined the results of sham elections across sovereign Ukrainian territory – UK statement at the Security Council [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

President,

Let me first condemn another appalling Russian missile attack earlier this week on a market in Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians is a war crime, and those responsible must be held to account.

Last year, in violation of the democratic will of the Ukrainian people, and of the UN Charter, Russia attempted to illegally annex Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. We saw Russian soldiers round people up to cast ballots at gunpoint for Russia’s so-called “referendums.”

As colleagues have said, the General Assembly emphatically rejected Russia’s actions. 143 Member States denounced Russia’s blatant violation of international law. The Secretary General condemned Russia’s attempted annexations.

Now Russia is committing another violation of the UN Charter by holding so-called “elections” within these four oblasts and in illegally annexed Crimea. Russia claims it is protecting the right to self-determination. But as my Foreign Secretary has said, you can’t hold elections in someone else’s country. Not only are Russia’s actions illegal and illegitimate, but we have information that the Kremlin has pre-determined the results of the sham elections across sovereign Ukrainian territory which Russia temporarily controls.

This gross deception will bring Russia no closer to justifying its war of aggression, just as Russia, in a year, has come no closer to expanding its control over the areas it has claimed in its failing invasion.

We also have information that “this year, Russia aims to host around 100,000 Ukrainian children from Russian-controlled territories to participate in a summer camp programme, with the aim being to politically indoctrinate children to align with Russia.”

Ukraine is fighting for its future as a State. The only way that Russia’s war can come to an end is through a just and sustained peace that fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We call on the international community to support Ukraine until that peace is won.

September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK Minister David Rutley MP concludes 3-day visit to Belize [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2023.

The United Kingdom (UK)’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Minister for the Americas & Caribbean visited Belize.

David Rutley MP, UK Minister for the Americas & Caribbean, completed his 3-day visit to Belize yesterday. Accompanied by Acting High Commissioner to Belize, Kate Reynolds, his engagements focused on bilateral relations, defence cooperation, climate change, gender, and infrastructure to support livelihoods and economic development.

His visit began with meetings with the Prime Minister of Belize, Honourable John Briceño, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration, Honourable Eamon Courtenay.

Minister Rutley also met with government officials and members of civil society, including advocates for the rights of women and girls and Chevening alumni who work in climate-related fields. He engaged in meaningful discussions and reiterated the UK’s commitment to continuing to work together towards shared goals.

British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) received Minister Rutley for a tour of their training area in the Gallon Jug area. He was able to see first-hand the benefits of the strong relationship between Belize and UK as soldiers participated in jungle training.

Minister Rutley also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) under the Small Island Developing States Capacity and Resilience (SIDAR) Programme. This announcement kick starts a partnership with the Caribbean region to increase access to climate finance.

One of the highlights of Minister Rutley’s trip was a visit to the Coastal Plain Highway, where he had the opportunity to see the recently upgraded road that was made possible through a grant from the UK. He met with representatives from the local communities to hear about how it has improved livelihoods. He also met with officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Development and Housing who were responsible for supervising the completion of the project in a timely and cost effective manner.

Minister Rutley’s visit concluded with a brief press conference at the Phillip Goldson International Airport. He had the opportunity to meet with representatives from local media, an excellent opportunity to foster open dialogue, exchange ideas, and deepen understanding between UK-Belize.

Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean, Minister David Rutley said:

Belize and the UK will continue to work together towards important priorities such as climate change, biodiversity protection, gender inclusion, diversity, and security. Projects between our two countries such as the UKCIF funded Coastal Highway is making a huge impact to the life of Belizeans and the UK government is committed to supporting Belize further in the years to come.

September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Migrants involved in violence against French officers jailed [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 September 2023.

Two small boat migrants at the centre of a mob that used violent disorder to make their way to the UK illegally on a small boat have been jailed.

Salih Taib Abdullah, 33, and Ahmed Omar Saleh Khater, 25, were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court today (8 September) to a combined total of two years and two months’ imprisonment for attempting to arrive in the UK illegally.

Both were involved in violence which broke out on a French beach in June this year when French officers were attacked by a large group of migrants attempting to leave on a small boat.

A team of UK-funded gendarmes were on patrol in Oye Plage near Calais when they came across a group of 51 migrants in the process of launching a small boat and attempted to prevent their crossing.

A number of the migrants were armed with makeshift weapons and rocks, causing injuries to the French officers before fleeing on a small boat bound for the UK.

Following rapid consultation between UK and French authorities, the two defendants were quickly identified and arrested by officers from the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) unit as soon as they reached Dover.

Body-worn footage from the gendarmes shows the two defendants confronting French officers. British and French authorities worked closely together, at speed, to ensure the offenders were brought to justice as swiftly as possible.

Both Abdullah, from Iraq, and Khater, from Sudan, pleaded guilty to attempting to arrive in the UK without valid entry clearance at an earlier hearing. Abdullah received a sentence of 14 months’ imprisonment and Khater received 12 months’ imprisonment.

Charlie Eastaugh, Director of International Operations for the Small Boats Operational Command in the Home Office, said:

We will not tolerate violence against our French partners, particularly by those attempting dangerous and illegal small boat launches which threaten the border security of the UK.

Tension on French beaches is increasing due to the successful efforts of law enforcement in frustrating this organised criminal enterprise. Incidents like this highlight the complex and brave work of our French colleagues in the face of challenging conditions.

We will continue to work hand-in-hand with them to tackle the criminal gangs behind these deadly crossings, to protect our borders and save lives.

September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK to host global summit to turn the dial on world hunger [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 September 2023.

The UK will host a global food security summit to galvanize action to tackle hunger and malnutrition.
- The UK will host a global food security summit with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to galvanize action to tackle hunger and malnutrition.
- It will focus on the best of science and innovation to prevent food insecurity and malnutrition.
- Nearly one billion people worldwide do not have enough to eat and 345 million face acute hunger and starvation.
The UK will gather governments, international organisations, scientists, NGOs and the private sector on 20 November for a reset moment on the global food security crisis.

Speaking at the G20, the Prime Minister announced today (8 September) that leading experts will come together to tackle the causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, including through cutting edge UK funded science and technology, at an event in London.

Climate change, conflict, the long-term impacts of Covid-19 and the effects on global food supply of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are the main drivers of current food insecurity.

Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) last month, a UN plan to ensure food and fertilizers could leave Ukrainian ports, has reduced global grain supply at a critical time for vulnerable people around the world and contributed to further market volatility – when prices rise, the poorest pay.

The UK-hosted summit will explore how innovation, partnerships and the latest technological advances can ensure long term food security and improved nutrition for people in the hardest-hit countries.

It will focus on:
- New approaches to tackle preventable deaths of children.
- Building a climate-resilient and sustainable food system.
- Supporting early action to prevent and reduce the impact of humanitarian crises.
- Using science and technology to boost food security.
Through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s science and research partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK is helping to find solutions to address global food and climate challenges – including more nutritious, resilient crop varieties and innovation to tackle pests and diseases.

Through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), the UK is already leading an innovative way of tackling child wasting and famine in some of the most vulnerable countries in the world.

Severe wasting, the most severe form of malnutrition, is responsible for one in five deaths of children under five. The CNF is scaling up prevention and treatment services in countries with the greatest need such as Malawi.
September 12, 2023