Tag: 2025

Hilary Benn – 2025 Statement on the Legacy of the Past in Northern Ireland

The statement made by Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 18 January 2025.

Acknowledging and addressing the suffering of victims and survivors of the Troubles was one of the aims of the Good Friday Agreement, but it is all too clear that for many of them and their families this task remains incomplete.

I have met and corresponded with many people who lost loved ones or were injured themselves. They have described to me the trauma they have lived through, made much worse by the lack of answers or of acknowledgement of what happened.

And I know that many are rightly angry about the previous UK Government’s Legacy Act. In Opposition, we said we would repeal and replace the Act. In Government, we remain steadfastly committed to doing so. That work is well underway.

Last month, I began this process with the introduction of a proposed draft Remedial Order which will remove a number of the Act’s provisions that have been deemed incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, including ending the widely-opposed immunity scheme and restoring the right to pursue civil cases. There are complex issues to be worked through, including in relation to legal rulings on interim custody orders, and all of these are now before Parliament for scrutiny over the next few months.

I also confirmed that I will restore inquests, starting with those that were previously halted by the Legacy Act, and put in place a fairer disclosure regime like that in public inquiries.

Everybody I have spoken to agrees that there needs to be a means of conducting investigations and of recovering information. And we do now have – for the first time – an independent judge-led Commission, responsible for doing both these things.

I am the first to acknowledge that the legislation that established the Commission needs to be changed and I appreciate why, after all these years, and given the origins of the Legacy Act, there is scepticism about it. I know that reforms will be needed to secure the confidence of families. But a growing number of requests for investigations and information are now being made to the Commission – over 120 at the last count – and the Northern Ireland Courts have been clear that it has the powers it needs to carry out independent, human rights-compliant investigations.

What’s more, the legislation I will propose will ensure that the Commission is, in specific circumstances, able to hold public hearings, take sworn evidence from individuals, and ensure families have effective representation.

One of the advantages of having the Commission is that it can quickly get to work. It has a growing team of dedicated investigators, including the former senior investigator at Operation Kenova. The Commission also has full police powers to help find answers without the long years of waiting that are often involved with public inquiries, which must establish staff, premises and processes from scratch.

There are a number of families, including the family of Sean Brown, whose inquests were brought to a premature end, and who continue to experience great pain and suffering. For each of these families, I want to ensure that there is a full, thorough and independent investigation into the death of their loved one as soon as possible.

I urge all those still searching for answers, for justice or for acknowledgement of what happened, to talk to the Commission to hear and discuss what they propose – knowing that the Government will strengthen it in our forthcoming legislation.

The complexity and sensitivity of dealing with the legacy of the past means trying to build as broad a consensus as possible – as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement. I am determined – with the help of all interested parties, including the Irish Government – to achieve this.

Nothing will ever ease the pain that so many families endure to this day. But we must do all we can to help society in Northern Ireland, which has come such a long way since 1998, to finally begin to heal the terrible wounds of the past and look to a better future together.

January 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The UK will continue to support UNIFIL’s essential role in maintaining calm along the Blue Line – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2025.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on UNDOF and UNIFIL.

After over a year of conflict and suffering across the Middle East, we now stand at a moment of hope for the people of the region.

With the Syrian people free from Assad’s tyranny, political progress in Lebanon, and news that a ceasefire and hostage release deal have been finalised for Gaza.

The UK will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we seize this opportunity and deliver much-needed peace.

The past year has seen continuous and devasting violence across the Blue Line.

We strongly believe that a ceasefire and lasting political solution are the only viable route to peace, stability and security for the Lebanese and Israeli people.

As we approach the end of the 60-day ceasefire period, every effort must be made to continue the progress and avoid a return to conflict.

Violations of the agreement will only bring us back to the brink, and we call on parties to uphold the commitments they agreed to.

Against this backdrop, the UK commends UNIFIL for maintaining its visibility and operational activities in difficult circumstances.

The UK will continue to support UNIFIL’s essential role in maintaining calm along the Blue Line and enabling the enhanced Lebanese Armed Forces deployment to southern Lebanon, consistent with the ceasefire agreement and UNSCR 1701.

We have consistently condemned attacks on UN Peacekeepers.

They must never be targeted.

All parties have an obligation under international law to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeeping personnel and premises.

Turning to UNDOF, the UN Disengagement of Forces Agreement remains vital for stability at this pivotal moment for Syria and the wider region.

Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.

This is more important than ever as Syria embarks on a political transition in pursuit of a more secure and peaceful future.

The UK is clear that we expect Israel to adhere to their commitment that their presence in the Area of Separation is both limited and temporary.

We call on Israel to lay out timelines for their withdrawal from the Area of Separation.

Let me, once again, reiterate the UK’s long-standing position that the Golan Heights are occupied territory, and we do not recognise Israel’s annexation.

Finally, after months of despair, news of the agreement between Israel and Hamas offers much-needed hope.

The hostages and their families have endured unimaginable agony and the level of suffering in Gaza defies belief.

This deal is the basis for progress.

To bring the hostages home.

Bring relief, reconstruction and hope to long-suffering civilians.

And to achieve a long-awaited two-state solution with Palestinians and Israelis living in peace and security.

January 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Tusk of Poland [January 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 January 2025.

The Prime Minister met the Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk today in Warsaw.

The leaders had a warm and productive discussion, beginning by reflecting on the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer’s visit to Auschwitz and how 80 years on from its liberation, the world must never forget the atrocities committed there.

The UK and Poland are close allies and share an important relationship which the leaders agreed to continue to strengthen to deliver economic growth, security and prosperity for both countries.

They were delighted to announce the start of talks on a new Defence and Security Treaty, which will bring the UK and Poland even closer together to tackle shared threats – including Putin’s ongoing aggression, the vile people smuggling gangs fueling illegal migration, and protecting our energy security.

On Ukraine, the Prime Minister updated Prime Minister Tusk on his recent visit and meetings with President Zelenskyy. It was vital that international partners continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, the leaders agreed.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

January 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Andrzej Duda of Poland [January 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 January 2025.

The Prime Minister met President Andrzej Duda of Poland in Warsaw this afternoon.

The leaders reflected on the strength of the UK-Poland relationship, agreeing that our countries are the strongest of allies and our partnership will endure for generations to come.

They welcomed the launch of negotiations on the new UK-Poland Defence and Security Treaty. In the face of increasing threats to Europe’s security, they agreed the treaty would bring our two countries closer together to tackle shared threats such as Putin’s aggression and the vile people smuggling gangs wreaking havoc at our borders.

They also underscored the vital importance of NATO, which underpins Euro-Atlantic security.

The Prime Minister reflected on his visit to Ukraine, and both leaders agreed that President Zelenskyy can count on the support of the UK and Poland for as long as it takes.

January 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister’s remarks at joint press conference in Poland [January 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 January 2025.

The Prime Minister’s remarks in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Tusk in Poland today.

Thank you very much Donald [Tusk].

It is a real pleasure to be here.

You know, I remember back in July last year, we spoke on my first day as Prime Minister.

I told you about my wife’s family roots here in Poland. And of course we talked about our shared passion for Arsenal Football Club – which is not what we spent an hour talking about this afternoon I can assure you.

So this was always going to be a great partnership.

But there is so much that brings our two nations together.

You’ve touched on some of these important issues.

The deep bonds of family, of history, and of friendship – shared values and shared interests.

The Polish pilots who gave their lives in the Battle of Britain.

The Polish government-in-exile, which we hosted for many years in my part of London.

And I think our two countries are as close as ever today, because we have a shared view of the challenges that are before us.

Those challenges were of course the focus of our meeting this afternoon.

We talked about how we can strengthen our economic ties, boosting a trade relationship that is already worth £30 billion, how can we do more together on energy security and climate, and how can we deepen our cooperation on migration.

Poland of course faces Belarus and Russia, facilitating criminal gangs, driving migrants over the border – we discussed this – horrendously exploiting innocent people.

So we’re determined to work more closely together to smash the vile gangs that operate across Europe.

And of course we spent much of our time today focusing on defence and security.

As two of Europe’s biggest military powers, with our troops serving together, guarding the eastern flank.

We share an unbreakable commitment to NATO and an unbreakable commitment to Ukraine.

So Donald, I want to thank you for everything you have done to support Ukraine.

It’s been a huge and important part of the defence of Ukraine, and it is important that we recognise that, and we say thank you to that – and of course to the President as well.

We’re clear, together, that the route to a just and lasting peace comes through strength –

The strength to secure that peace, on Ukraine’s terms. And the strength to maintain it.

We will work with all allies to that end to step up our efforts to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position now, and guarantee that Ukraine will be able to defend herself and deter Russia in the future.

The defence of Ukraine is vital for the defence of Europe.

Poland currently holds the presidency of the EU Council.

And I want to congratulate you, Donald –

On making European security the focus of your presidency.

Because this is the issue of our time. This is where the challenge is that we must rise to.

We share your view that this is the central issue. The scale of the threat to Europe today must be matched by the scale of our collective response.

I am determined to deepen our security collaboration. Both with the EU and of course bilaterally.

And I am very pleased that we have agreed today to launch negotiations on a new UK-Poland security and defence treaty, covering all aspects of the threats we face.

And the steps we must take to meet them –

This includes deepening ties between our defence industries.

The UK has secured £8 billion worth of defence deals together over the last three years alone.

And we’re going further today, opening a new Joint Programme Office in Bristol to deliver our £4 billion partnership, to deliver the next generation air defence system to Poland.

Through our new treaty, we will keep deepening these ties.

Exploring what more we can do for our shared security, and ensuring that this is a strong, strategic partnership to rival any other.

In closing, I want to say that is a moment for determination, yes. But it is also a moment for reflection.

This month we mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, when the full horror of the Holocaust was exposed for the world to see.

I visited Auschwitz earlier today. I stood on those railway tracks, looked at the shoes and the suitcases piled high, the hair, the teeth, taken from those murdered by the Nazis.

For eight decades, the memory and pain of what the Jewish people suffered – of what Poland and others suffered, in that camp, has been passed from country to country. Generation to generation. Family to family.

I will never forget what I saw today.

And I will never forget my responsibility to pass this on to the next generation.

To remember, to learn, and to respect.

Our solemn promise: Never again.

That is our duty – now and always.

Thank you.

January 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK will support Guatemala to increase its climate ambitions [January 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2025.

The British Ambassador and Minister of Environment discussed opportunities to deepen the longstanding climate partnership between the UK and Guatemala.

Ambassador Juliana Correa visited Patricia Orantes, Minister of Environment, on 16 January to discuss this year’s top priorities on our shared environmental agenda, including the preservation of forests, protection of biodiversity and tackling climate change.

To help with these objectives, Ambassador Correa announced that the UK has made available more than US$30 million for 40 countries, including Guatemala, to support governments in raising climate ambition, alongside funding for NDC implementation, technical advisory support and cross-ministerial coordination. The World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will mange these funds allocated to the NDC Partnership.

In addition, the Ambassador stressed that the UK continues to implement in Guatemala and Mesoamerica the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund, which will invest more than US$7 million from 2023 to 2029 in the Mayan Jungle in Peten and a forest reserve in Trifinio (Chiquimula), with the aim of protect biodiversity, improve communities’ livelihoods and tackle the impacts of climate change.

Finally, Ambassador Correa and Minister Orantes agreed to explore the opportunities that environmentally friendly investments pose for the county, including on clean energies or waste management; that would create jobs while deepening the economic relationship between Guatemala and the UK.

January 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Extension of Deborah Taylor’s term as Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board [January 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 15 January 2025.

The Lord Chancellor has extended the appointment of Deborah Taylor as the Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board (CLAAB) for an additional 12 months from January 2025.

The CLAAB was established following the recommendation in the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR) that an independent Advisory Board be set up to take a wider view and encourage a more joined-up approach to criminal legal aid within the criminal justice system.

The CLAAB plays a vital role in enabling collaboration with stakeholders across the criminal justice system. It ensures that criminal defence practitioners have ongoing input into the future development of the criminal legal aid system.

Biography

HH Deborah Taylor was a Senior Circuit Judge, Resident Judge at Southwark Crown Court and Recorder of Westminster until her retirement from the Judiciary in December 2022. In 2022 she was Treasurer of Inner Temple, where she advocated for greater diversity at the Bar.

Since March 2023, Deborah has been Chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) which deals with doctors’ fitness to practise and ensures members of the public are adequately protected. Deborah is also a Trustee of Shakespeare’s Globe.

Deborah has chaired the CLAAB since July 2023. During this time, Deborah has established a strong rapport with stakeholders and has fostered collaborative discussions on the operation and structure of the existing and future criminal legal aid schemes. The CLAAB published the first annual report on 14 November 2024.

Notes

The CLAAB has been meeting quarterly since it was first established in October 2022. Ministers have agreed to extend the CLAAB for an additional 12 months from January 2025.

The membership currently includes representatives from the Bar Council, the Law Society of England and Wales, Criminal Bar Association, London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association, Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association, CILEX, Young Legal Aid Lawyers, Young Barrister Committee, Crown Prosecution Service, the Legal Aid Agency and Ministry of Justice officials.

January 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Norfolk farmer, Brian Rutterford, fined for taking water during summer drought [January 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 17 January 2025.

A Norfolk farmer with a history of environmental offending has been fined for taking and using more water than permitted.

Following a successful prosecution by the Environment Agency, a Norfolk farmer with a history of environmental offending has been fined for taking and using more water than permitted, including during a summer drought.

Brian Rutterford, 77, of Undley, Lakenheath, was fined on 15 January at Norwich Magistrates Court for water abstraction offences and ordered to pay £4,300. Over four years, Rutterford took three times the amount of water he was licenced to take, from a small channel next to his farm in Hockwold-cum-Wilton.

The farmer continued to take water during the record-breaking hot summer of 2022, when East Anglia was officially in drought and many local water courses were dry. Rutterford’s actions impacted water supplies for the local community.

Brian Rutterford held two water abstraction licences, one for summer and one for winter. His licences required him to keep abstraction records and maintain abstraction meters, which he failed to do. Rutterford pleaded guilty to offences of over-abstraction under both licences between 2018 and 2022.

Environment Agency prosecutor Mrs Sarah Dunne told the court that, although Rutterford explained that he over-abstracted to address a leak in his lake that put his fish at risk, his activities had continued for a four-year period including during a summer drought. In addition, these water abstraction offences were committed during his suspended sentence for another environmental offence: for operating an unpermitted waste site at his farm.

The presiding magistrate told Rutterford that he had been ‘chaotic’ and ‘incompetent’, and that his previous environmental offence was an aggravating feature. He was ordered to pay a total of £4,300, which included a £2,000 fine for his offences, £100 for breaching his suspended sentence, £2,000 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £200.

Michelle Herron, East Anglia Operational Water Resources Specialist, said:

Water is a scarce resource. Abstraction licenses are issued to ensure that there is enough water for everyone and that there is no harm to the environment. Water abstractors have a responsibility to conserve supplies, especially during droughts. Mr Rutterford clearly failed in fulfilling his responsibilities, so it is right that he pleaded guilty and be fined by the court.

The Environment Agency protects communities from harm by carrying out robust regulation and enforcement on those who break the rules.

Drier summers will be an enormous challenge over the next few decades, so building resilience to drought is important. To protect water resources, the Environment Agency controls how much, where and when water is abstracted through the licensing system.

Background information

Case details:
- Rutterford held two water abstraction licences which allowed him to abstract water from the channel next to his Black Dyke Farm. Under his winter licence, he was permitted to abstract a limited amount of water to fill a lake at his farm. Under his summer licence, he was permitted to abstract a much smaller amount and only for the purpose of crop spraying. Conditions on his licences required him to keep abstraction records and maintain abstraction meters.
- Rutterford pleaded guilty to offences of over-abstraction under both licences between 2018 and 2022; for failing to maintain abstraction records in accordance with his licences and failing to maintain and calibrate his abstraction meters.
- Rutterford appeared at Kings Lynn Magistrates’ Court in 2019 for operating an unpermitted waste site at Black Dyke Farm. He had been given a suspended sentence of imprisonment. Rutterford’s water abstraction offences were committed during the currency of that suspended sentence.
Charges:
- Between 30th October 2018 and 1st November 2022, Brian Rutterford did abstract water otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of Abstraction Licence No 6/33/56/*S/0258 by exceeding permitted volumes contrary to s24(1) and (4) Water Resources Act 1991.
- Between 30th March 2017 and 1st November 2022, Brian Rutterford did abstract water otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of Abstraction Licence AN.033.0056.014 by exceeding permitted volumes contrary to s24(1) and (4) Water Resources Act 1991.
- Between 30th October 2018 and 1 st November 2022, Brian Rutterford did fail to comply with condition 9 of Abstraction Licence No 6/33/56/*S/0258 in that he failed to take, record and retain daily water abstraction records contrary to s24(4)(b) Water Resources Act 1991.
- Between 30th October 2018 and 1 st November 2022, Brian Rutterford did fail to comply with condition 8 of Abstraction Licence No 6/33/56/*S/0258 in that he failed to carry out regular maintenance and calibration of water abstraction meter, 05052121, contrary to s24(4)(b) Water Resources Act 1991.
Water abstraction licences:
- The Environment Agency controls how much, where and when water is abstracted through our licensing system. Anyone taking 20m3 of water per day or over is required to have an abstraction licence.
- Abstraction licences have conditions on them to ensure the environment and the rights of other abstractors are protected.
- Our powers and duties enable us to regulate the use of water under existing licences and to decide whether to grant new ones. Where abstraction is damaging the environment, we also have the power to amend or revoke existing licences.
January 18, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Former London minicab driver, Huseyin Houssein, handed 11-year sanctions for Covid loan abuse [January 2025]
The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 17 January 2025.

Bankrupt ex-private hire driver exaggerated his turnover by more than £188,000 to falsely claim a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan.
- Huseyin Houssein gave false business information to claim the maximum Covid loan
- He overstated the turnover of his private hire business by more than 17 times to claim over £47,000 more than he was entitled to receive
- Houssein is now subject to 11 years of tough restrictions which include being prevented from acting as a company director without the court’s permission
A former London minicab driver is subject to 11 years of stringent sanctions after the Official Receiver found he abused the Covid loan scheme to claim over £47,000 more than his business was entitled to.

Huseyin Houssein, 55, a former private hire driver from Nash Road in Edmonton, North London, applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan in August 2020.

He stated in the application that his business had a £200,000 turnover during the previous year, enabling him to claim the maximum loan of £50,000.

But Houssein was made bankrupt in February 2024 and the Official Receiver overseeing his bankruptcy discovered the actual turnover for the private hire business in the year ending 31 March 2020 had actually been £11,446. The amount he would actually have been entitled to was just £2,861.

Victoria Prime, Official Receiver at the Insolvency Service, said:

Huseyin Houssein used false information to claim money that was designed to support businesses through the pandemic.

He took more than £47,000 of taxpayers’ money that he was not entitled to.

The Insolvency Service takes the abuse of public money seriously and I’m pleased that these lengthy restrictions will help to protect the public from further financial harm.

The Official Receiver, who has a duty to investigate the cause of a bankruptcy, discovered that Houssein spent the £50,000 between October 2020, when the money arrived in the firm’s bank account, and May 2021. The money was not used to support his business.

Under the rules of the Bounce Back Loan scheme, businesses could claim up to 25% of their 2019 turnover, up to a maximum of £50,000.

Houssein signed a Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking in which he did not dispute that he had given false information to claim a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan to which he was not fully entitled.

He also did not dispute that he had failed to use the money for the economic benefit of his business – a further breach of the loan scheme rules.

Houssein must abide by the restrictions, which extend the terms of his original bankruptcy – usually a 12-month period – for another 11 years.

They prevent him from acting as a company director without permission from the court, and from borrowing more than £500 without declaring that he is subject to the sanctions. The restrictions also prevent him holding certain roles in public organisations.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted the undertaking on 7 January 2025. The restrictions will run until 6 January 2036.
January 18, 2025
Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments Following Visit to Auschwitz

The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 17 January 2025.

Nothing could prepare me for the sheer horror of what I have seen in this place. It is utterly harrowing. The mounds of hair, the shoes, the suitcases, the names and details, everything that was so meticulously kept, except for human life.

As I stood by the train tracks at Birkenau, looking across that cold, vast expanse, I felt a sickness, an air of desolation, as I tried to comprehend the enormity of this barbarous, planned, industrialised murder: a million people killed here for one reason, simply because they were Jewish.

My visit today has also shown me more clearly than ever before, how this was not the evil deeds of a few bad individuals. It took a collective endeavour by thousands of ordinary people who each played their part in constructing this whole industry of death. To build the tracks, drive the trains, extract the hair and teeth, conceive the method of mass murder – each stomach-churning step rooted in the hatred of difference. The lessons of this darkest of crimes are the ultimate warning to humanity of where prejudice can lead.

My wife was equally moved by what she saw today. It was her second visit, but no less harrowing than the first time she stepped through that gate and witnessed the depravity of what happened here.

Time and again we condemn this hatred, and we boldly say “never again”. But where is never again, when we see the poison of antisemitism rising around the world in aftermath of October 7th? Where is never again, when the pulse of fear is beating in our own Jewish community, as people are despicably targeted once again for the very same reason, because they are Jewish.

The truth that I have seen here today will stay with me for the rest of my life. So too, will my determination to defend that truth, to fight the poison of antisemitism and hatred in all its forms, and to do everything I can to make “never again” mean what it says, and what it must truly mean: never again.

January 18, 2025