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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Croydon man’s killers, Donald Owusu and Harvey Macfoy, have sentences increased for murderous attack [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Croydon man’s killers, Donald Owusu and Harvey Macfoy, have sentences increased for murderous attack [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General on 6 October 2022.

    Two men who fatally stabbed a Croydon man have had their sentences increased after the Court of Appeal found their original sentences to be unduly lenient.

    On 15 December 2019, Donald Owusu, now 25, and Harvey Macfoy, now 26, used a tracker device to locate 33-year-old Albert Amofa as they believed he was carrying cannabis in his vehicle.  The victim was located outside his home in his vehicle and stabbed five times to the upper leg hitting his femoral artery. Owusu and Macfoy fled the scene empty handed. Mr Amofa died from his injuries two days later.

    On 7 July 2022 at Central Criminal Court, Donald Owusu was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder with a minimum term of 25 years. Harvey Macfoy was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder with a minimum term of 21 years.  Macfoy received an additional 20-month sentence to run concurrently for intending to pervert the course of justice.

    The original sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme because they appeared too low.

    On 6 October, the Court of Appeal found Owusu and Macfoy’s sentences to be unduly lenient and increased Owusu’s minimum sentence to 27 years’ imprisonment and Macfoy’s to 23 years’ imprisonment.

    Speaking after the hearing, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

    The senseless and vicious murder of Albert Amofa has caused immeasurable pain and suffering to his family, and my thoughts are with them today.

    I welcome the Court’s decision to increase both sentences today as I believe they better reflect the intent behind this awful attack.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Latest developments between Armenia and Azerbaijan – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Latest developments between Armenia and Azerbaijan – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 October 2022.

    Ambassador Neil Bush urges all allegations of mistreatment, abuse and summary killings be urgently and fully investigated.

    The UK welcomes the release of 17 Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijan this week. This is an important humanitarian gesture at a time of raised tensions in the region.

    We were horrified by media reporting of a video which appears to show captured Armenian soldiers being shot by members of Azerbaijan’s forces. We welcome the announcement by Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office of their commitment to comprehensively investigate the video and urge them to share the outcome publicly. It is essential that all allegations of mistreatment, abuse and summary killings be urgently and fully investigated by the appropriate authorities.

    We urge both sides to resolve all outstanding issues through diplomatic means, including discussions on the fate of missing people and the return of all remaining prisoners of war. We will continue to support the diplomatic efforts of international partners as they seek to secure much-needed stability and security for the people of the region.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ambassador Manley statement on Xinjiang [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ambassador Manley statement on Xinjiang [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 October 2022.

    Ambassador Simon Manley, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, made the below comments following the vote on whether the UN Human Rights Council should hold a debate on the situation of human rights in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China.

    Ambassador Simon Manley, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, said:

    Given the gravity of the report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which found that China has carried out serious human rights violations including possible ‘crimes against humanity’ in Xinjiang, it is important that UN members are given the opportunity to consider it fully. China’s attempts to stifle debate and hide the truth will not succeed.

    Today’s vote sent a clear message to China: that a significant number of countries will not be silenced when it comes to egregious human rights violations – no matter where and by whom they are committed. We will continue to work with our partners to hold the Chinese authorities to account and to shine a spotlight on China’s human rights violations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cocaine supplier Sam Whicker receives increased sentence after hearing at the Court of Appeal [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cocaine supplier Sam Whicker receives increased sentence after hearing at the Court of Appeal [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General on 6 October 2022.

    A man who acted as a courier to transport 90kg of cocaine has been ordered to serve a longer prison term after the Court of Appeal found his original sentence to be unduly lenient.

    Sam Whicker, now 31, was part of an organised crime group involved in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine). Whicker acted as a courier and drove 90kg of cocaine from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, to Northolt, West London.

    In addition to this offence, Whicker also has 38 previous convictions for 71 offences.

    On 6 July 2022, Whicker was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court for being concerned in the supply of a class A drug (cocaine). Whicker was also ordered to forfeit the drugs and vehicle for destruction.

    Following the sentencing, Whicker’s sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

    On 6 October 2022, the Court found Whicker’s original sentence to be unduly lenient, and he was ordered to serve a new sentence of 5 years and 4 months’ imprisonment.

    Speaking after the hearing, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

    Supplying class A drugs, especially given the significant quantity involved in this case, is an incredibly serious crime, so it was clear to me that a stronger sentence was appropriate in this case.

    Today’s verdict shows that no amount of money offered to supply and transport drugs will ever be worth it.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 51 – General Comment on human rights in Xinjiang [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 51 – General Comment on human rights in Xinjiang [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 October 2022.

    Ambassador Simon Manley delivered a general comment ahead of the draft decision to hold a debate on the situation of human rights in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China.

    Mr President,

    The United Kingdom has consistently raised the grave human rights situation in Xinjiang. We are not alone in our concerns. Indeed, since our first joint statement on this issue at the UN General Assembly back in 2019, the growing number of countries from around the world have spoken up – including here at the Human Rights Council.

    We have heard concerns from elsewhere too. Special Procedure mandate holders, Treaty Bodies and Non-Governmental organisations have all repeatedly expressed alarm following numerous reports of gross violations and systemic discrimination over several years.

    There has been no shortage of reports on Xinjiang. But the recently published assessment by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the most significant to date. We now have a thorough, objective and independent assessment from the principle UN human rights body which confirms our worst fears.

    If I may quote the exact words of the assessment – “the extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of the Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity”.

    These crimes include – torture, sexual and gender-based violence, forced sterilisations, severe restrictions on freedom of religion and belief and forced disappearances on a massive scale.

    And what is all the more significant is that so many of those findings are based on official public information from the Chinese authorities – corroborated by other sources.

    Our ask today is a simple one – a debate at the next session of this Council. Given the harrowing details and serious findings by the Office of the High Commissioner – this really is the minimum that an assessment of this nature should lead to.

    So, Mr President, I urge us to remember why we are here. We are members of the Human Rights Council. We are here to raise situations of systemic discrimination. We are here to discuss the most serious human rights violations and abuses, wherever and by whomever they are committed. There can be no doubt that the gravity and scale of what has been reported in Xinjiang warrants such a debate.

    I therefore appeal to our fellow members of this Council to do what is right. Not to turn a blind eye. But to support the decision simply to have a debate. No more, no less.

    Thank you, Mr President.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Turkey – Jill Morris [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Turkey – Jill Morris [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 October 2022.

    Ms Jill Morris CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye in succession to Sir Dominick Chilcott KCMG who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Ms Morris will take up her appointment during January 2023.

    Full name: Jill Morris

    Curriculum vitae

    2016 to 2022 Rome, Her Late Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy and Her Late Majesty’s Non-Resident Ambassador to San Marino
    2012 to 2015 FCO, Director, Europe
    2011 FCO, Head, Counter-Proliferation Department
    2008 to 2010 FCO, Head, Consular Strategy Department
    2006 to 2008 Brussels, Counsellor, UK Permanent Representation to the EU
    2005 to 2006 Brussels, Desk Officer – External Relations, UK Permanent Representation to the EU
    2001 to 2005 Nicosia, Second Secretary
    1999 to 2000 FCO, Desk Officer, United Nations Department
    1999 Joined FCO
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 51 – Resolution Introduction for Sri Lanka [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 51 – Resolution Introduction for Sri Lanka [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 October 2022.

    Ambassador Simon Manley introduced a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.

    Thank you Mr President.

    I have the honour to introduce draft resolution L1 Rev 1 entitled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ which has been proposed by a group of states comprising Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

    The text is largely based on last year’s resolution but has been updated to reflect some of the key developments over the last 18 months in what has been a rather dramatic time for Sri Lanka – an economic crisis, mass protests, and a change in government, all of which have had a significant bearing on the human rights situation in the country.

    The draft both recognises the challenges which Sri Lanka has faced during this period and acknowledges progress where this has occurred.

    It reflects some of the more recent concerns outlined in the High Commissioner’s report, especially the human rights impact of the economic crisis.

    And it also addresses several longstanding issues which still need to be addressed. These include the lack of accountability for past violations, the many unresolved cases of enforced disappearances, the need for Sri Lanka to meet its own commitments on the devolution of political authority, as well as the need to uphold the rights of all people in Sri Lanka including Tamils and Muslims.

    The main requests in the resolution are in Operative Paragraphs (OP) 8 and 18.

    OP8 seeks to continue the work initiated in last year’s resolution which created capacity within the Office of the High Commissioner to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information to support judicial and other proceedings.

    This capacity was set up in response to the lack of progress made by Sri Lanka’s domestic legal mechanisms towards accountability for past alleged gross violations of human rights. Unfortunately, this capacity has only been fully operational since May of this year and so requires more time to complete its mandate. We are therefore seeking to extend it for a further period as recommended by the former High Commissioner.

    OP18 requests further reporting by OHCHR and proposes to move from an 18-month time frame to 2 years. This is in recognition of the severe challenges which Sri Lanka is currently facing – allowing Sri Lanka sufficient time and space to make progress on human rights in what we all recognise is a very difficult context.

    Mr President – the UK is a close partner to and long-standing friend of Sri Lanka, our times run deep. We bring this resolution in order to help Sri Lanka address ongoing challenges and in order to encourage progress on reconciliation, justice and human rights.

    I commend this draft resolution to my fellow members of this Council.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Domestic abuser Michael Jones receives increased sentence after referral to the Court of Appeal [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Domestic abuser Michael Jones receives increased sentence after referral to the Court of Appeal [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General on 6 October 2022.

    A man who stabbed his partner has received an increased prison sentence after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the then Solicitor General, Edward Timpson CBE KC MP.

    Michael Jones stabbed his partner in the stomach after pinning her down, smothering her and forcing her to play a “truth-or-dare” game at knifepoint.

    On 6 June 2022, Jones, 40, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to 6 years’ imprisonment for wounding with intent.

    Following the sentencing Jones’ original sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

    On 6 October, the Court found Jones’ original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 7 years and 6 months’ imprisonment and an extended licence period of 3 years.

    Speaking after the hearing, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

    Jones subjected his partner to unimaginable violence, which will have a lasting impact on the victim.

    Increasing Jones’ sentence both better reflects the severity of this crime and sends a clear message that domestic abuse will be met with robust punishment.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Liz Truss’s meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Liz Truss’s meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala [October 2022]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 October 2022.

    The Prime Minister met the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Prague this morning.

    The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Fiala for hosting today’s gathering of European leaders, welcoming the important opportunity to discuss regional issues like energy security and migration.

    The leaders were in strong agreement on the importance of likeminded European democracies presenting a united front against Putin’s brutality.

    They discussed the UK and Czech Republic’s early support for Ukraine’s defence and the need to continue military aid, help on reconstruction and sanctions on Putin’s regime.

    The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Fiala also noted opportunities for our countries to work together to secure long-term energy supplies, including cooperation on nuclear and renewables.

    Both leaders welcomed the prospect of the United Kingdom resuming participation in the North Seas Energy Cooperation group. The Prime Minister looked forward to work progressing at pace on developing next-generation energy interconnectors in the region.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change to storage of radioactive waste granted for Hinkley Point C [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change to storage of radioactive waste granted for Hinkley Point C [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 6 October 2022.

    The Environment Agency has today agreed to changes to the environmental permit for Hinkley Point C nuclear power station near Bridgwater.

    This results from a change to the way radioactive waste will be stored at the site.

    Pressurised water reactors at Hinkley Point C will use uranium fuel to create heat and generate electricity when operating. Once used within the reactor, nuclear fuel will undergo a period of cooling in a fuel pool. It will then be stored on-site before being sent off-site to a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).

    NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited was originally issued a radioactive substances environmental permit in 2013. In the original design radioactive spent fuel was to be stored on-site in ‘wet storage’ – a method of submerging and storing in water.

    The operator earlier this year applied to the Environment Agency for a variation to its permit. This was to reflect the change in the technology by which it will store spent nuclear fuel, from wet storage to ‘dry storage’. Dry storage will see used nuclear fuel stored in sealed containers within a facility before it is sent to the GDF. The permit covers the associated discharges, not the storage of waste. However, a change to the permit was required to remove or amend specific conditions related to the previous wet storage technology that are no longer relevant.

    The operator has said altering the storage method will not change the expected radiation dose from discharges to the general public or the wider environment. Such doses will remain extremely small.

    Following a 4-week public consultation over the proposed change, the Environment Agency has today agreed to amend the permit. More than 40 organisations and members of the public responded to the consultation.

    A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

    We agree with the applicant’s demonstration that the proposed change to spent nuclear fuel storage represents Best Available Technique (BAT) for Hinkley Point C. We are satisfied that the change will not lead to an increase in radioactive discharges and will not cause adverse radiological impact on people and the environment.

    The changes will not impact our ability to effectively regulate the site and activities. We will continue to assess spent fuel storage and its impact at Hinkley Point C to ensure that discharges are minimised and that BAT is applied.

    Separately, NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited will be seeking the necessary changes to its Development Consent Order for Hinkley Point C later this year.