BBC: "The Jewish community at the moment is full of dread, full of fear, like I've never seen before," says Justin Cohen, news editor and co-publisher of Jewish News.
He talks of this anxiety playing out with a backdrop of intense trauma caused by the Hamas killings and kidnappings on 7 October.
More than 70% of British Jews have family living in Israel and 90% have visited the country at least once, according to the Institute for Jewish Policy Research.
But the fact the Metropolitan Police reported a 15-fold increase in antisemitic incidents over the past three weeks, when compared with the same period last year, means hatred has been at the forefront of the minds of many.
"If people who are so boiling over with rage in these demos see Jewish people as inextricably linked with Israel, they will inevitably target those Jewish people. The fears are never-ending at this point," says Mr Cohen. » | Aleem Maqbool, Religion editor | Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Showing posts with label UK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UK. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Pro-Palestinian Rallies in the UK, Europe Call for Peace in Gaza
Auch in Kreuzberg, Deutschland.
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Germany Invites UK to Reach Improved Brexit Trading Deal
GUARDIAN EUROPE: Finance minister offers standing invitation to ‘intensify your trade relationship to the EU’
The German finance minister has issued an open invitation to the UK to reach a new deal to improve Brexit trading relations that would reduce trade barriers and “obstacles in daily business life”.
Christian Lindner told the BBC: “This is a standing invitation for the UK: if you want to intensify your trade relationship to the EU, call us. We really appreciate the United Kingdom and its values, its people … and I would really, really appreciate it if we can intensify [the trade relationship] again.”
His comments will come as a surprise to the European Commission vice-president, Maroš Šefčovič, who negotiated the Brexit trade deal, and they throw the door open to the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, who has said he will seek “a much better” relationship with the EU if he wins the next general election.
Šefčovič has insisted the Brexit deal will not be “put in the shredder”. He is also resisting calls from the car industry in the UK and the EU for a three-year suspension of tariffs, scheduled to come into force in January, on electric car exports.
It is understood he may, however, agree to a one-year suspension as a compromise. » | Lisa O’Carroll, Brussels correspondent | Saturday, October 14, 2023
The German finance minister has issued an open invitation to the UK to reach a new deal to improve Brexit trading relations that would reduce trade barriers and “obstacles in daily business life”.
Christian Lindner told the BBC: “This is a standing invitation for the UK: if you want to intensify your trade relationship to the EU, call us. We really appreciate the United Kingdom and its values, its people … and I would really, really appreciate it if we can intensify [the trade relationship] again.”
His comments will come as a surprise to the European Commission vice-president, Maroš Šefčovič, who negotiated the Brexit trade deal, and they throw the door open to the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, who has said he will seek “a much better” relationship with the EU if he wins the next general election.
Šefčovič has insisted the Brexit deal will not be “put in the shredder”. He is also resisting calls from the car industry in the UK and the EU for a three-year suspension of tariffs, scheduled to come into force in January, on electric car exports.
It is understood he may, however, agree to a one-year suspension as a compromise. » | Lisa O’Carroll, Brussels correspondent | Saturday, October 14, 2023
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Thousands March through Central London to Call for a Free Palestine
GUARDIAN EUROPE: Protesters in Scottish cities also shrug off home secretary’s warning that waving Palestinian flag might be a criminal offence
Thousands of people have marched through central London calling for a free Palestine as tensions grow over an impending Israeli ground offensive in Gaza.
A pronounced police presence reflected sensitivities surrounding the march, but no arrests were reported after warnings that action would be taken against anyone showing support for Hamas or deviating from the agreed route.
Minutes before the march set off, Scotland Yard announced that its counter-terrorism police were looking into more than 50 cases of “potential terrorist content online” in the period since Hamas launched its attack against Israel last Saturday.
The home secretary, Suella Braverman, had said earlier in the week that waving a Palestinian flag might be a criminal offence. Few at the march seemed to take such a threat seriously, with a sea of Palestinian flags visible as the crowd moved slowly down Regent Street towards Whitehall. (+ video) » | Mark Townsend | Saturday, October 14, 2023
Thousands of people have marched through central London calling for a free Palestine as tensions grow over an impending Israeli ground offensive in Gaza.
A pronounced police presence reflected sensitivities surrounding the march, but no arrests were reported after warnings that action would be taken against anyone showing support for Hamas or deviating from the agreed route.
Minutes before the march set off, Scotland Yard announced that its counter-terrorism police were looking into more than 50 cases of “potential terrorist content online” in the period since Hamas launched its attack against Israel last Saturday.
The home secretary, Suella Braverman, had said earlier in the week that waving a Palestinian flag might be a criminal offence. Few at the march seemed to take such a threat seriously, with a sea of Palestinian flags visible as the crowd moved slowly down Regent Street towards Whitehall. (+ video) » | Mark Townsend | Saturday, October 14, 2023
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Israel Gaza: Antisemitic Incidents 'Quadruple in UK' since Hamas Attack
BBC: Antisemitic incidents in the UK have more than quadrupled since Hamas's attack on Israel, says a charity which helps Jewish people in the UK.
The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 89 "anti-Jewish hate" incidents from 7 to 10 October.
That marked a more than four-fold rise on the 21 antisemitic incidents recorded in the same period last year.
Security minister Tom Tugendhat said he was "very concerned" at reports of an increase in antisemitism.
The CST says six of the 89 incidents recorded were assaults, three referred to damage to Jewish property and 66 were related to abusive behaviour, 22 of which happened online. » | Emily McGarvey, BBC News | Thursday, October 12, 2023
Augmentation des attentats antisémites également en France depuis le début de la guerre :
Guerre Israël-Hamas : « plus d’une centaine d’actes antisémites » signalés en France, selon Gérald Darmanin : Il s’agit, selon le ministère de l’intérieur, de tags ou d’insultes à la communauté juive. Il a répété qu’il n’y avait pas de signe d’importation du conflit ou de « menace terroriste islamiste » en France. »
Scholz pledges ‘zero tolerance’ as antisemitic incidents rise in Europe: Attacks on Jewish communities and protests glorifying terrorism spread amid Israel-Hamas war »
The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 89 "anti-Jewish hate" incidents from 7 to 10 October.
That marked a more than four-fold rise on the 21 antisemitic incidents recorded in the same period last year.
Security minister Tom Tugendhat said he was "very concerned" at reports of an increase in antisemitism.
The CST says six of the 89 incidents recorded were assaults, three referred to damage to Jewish property and 66 were related to abusive behaviour, 22 of which happened online. » | Emily McGarvey, BBC News | Thursday, October 12, 2023
Augmentation des attentats antisémites également en France depuis le début de la guerre :
Guerre Israël-Hamas : « plus d’une centaine d’actes antisémites » signalés en France, selon Gérald Darmanin : Il s’agit, selon le ministère de l’intérieur, de tags ou d’insultes à la communauté juive. Il a répété qu’il n’y avait pas de signe d’importation du conflit ou de « menace terroriste islamiste » en France. »
Scholz pledges ‘zero tolerance’ as antisemitic incidents rise in Europe: Attacks on Jewish communities and protests glorifying terrorism spread amid Israel-Hamas war »
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
People Supporting Hamas in UK Will Be ‘Held to Account’, Says Rishi Sunak
GUARDIAN INTERNATIONAL: PM also says government is ready to support any British citizens in need of help after attacks on Israel
Rishi Sunak has vowed that anyone in the UK supporting Hamas will be “held to account” in the aftermath of the attack on Israel.
The prime minister said the government was ready to support any British citizens in need of help, during a visit in Staffordshire on Tuesday.
A “significant number” of British-Israeli dual nationals have been caught up in the conflict in Israel and Gaza, the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, said earlier.
Sunak confirmed his support for Israel, saying he stood in solidarity with the state and its people “in the face of these barbaric acts of terrorism”. » | Aubrey Allegretti, Political correspondent | Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Rishi Sunak has vowed that anyone in the UK supporting Hamas will be “held to account” in the aftermath of the attack on Israel.
The prime minister said the government was ready to support any British citizens in need of help, during a visit in Staffordshire on Tuesday.
A “significant number” of British-Israeli dual nationals have been caught up in the conflict in Israel and Gaza, the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, said earlier.
Sunak confirmed his support for Israel, saying he stood in solidarity with the state and its people “in the face of these barbaric acts of terrorism”. » | Aubrey Allegretti, Political correspondent | Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Bedbug Plague Hits Luton, with ‘Alarming’ Number of Infestations
THE TELEGRAPH: Council's pest control service inundated with calls about the blood-sucking parasites following outbreak in France
A council has warned it does not have the resources to tackle an “alarming” number of callouts for bedbug infestations.
Officials at Luton council say they have been inundated by calls about the bugs, after a national panic in France over the insects being found in cinemas, trains, hospitals and schools.
The infestations in Paris have led to fears the insects could invade the UK, with Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, saying that the possibility of bedbugs on the capital’s public transport was “a real source of concern”.
Councillors in Luton told residents that the city authority “does not have limitless resources to counter this pest”, prompting fears the bugs could spread further.
Writing on its website, the council said: “The pest control service is currently receiving an alarming number of bedbug jobs on a weekly basis.” » | Ewan Somerville | Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Related videos and articles here.
Bedbugs ‘a real source of concern’ on London transport, says Sadiq Khan: Mayor says ‘there is no complacency’ as video appears to show insect on tube after outbreaks reported in Paris »
A council has warned it does not have the resources to tackle an “alarming” number of callouts for bedbug infestations.
Officials at Luton council say they have been inundated by calls about the bugs, after a national panic in France over the insects being found in cinemas, trains, hospitals and schools.
The infestations in Paris have led to fears the insects could invade the UK, with Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, saying that the possibility of bedbugs on the capital’s public transport was “a real source of concern”.
Councillors in Luton told residents that the city authority “does not have limitless resources to counter this pest”, prompting fears the bugs could spread further.
Writing on its website, the council said: “The pest control service is currently receiving an alarming number of bedbug jobs on a weekly basis.” » | Ewan Somerville | Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Related videos and articles here.
Bedbugs ‘a real source of concern’ on London transport, says Sadiq Khan: Mayor says ‘there is no complacency’ as video appears to show insect on tube after outbreaks reported in Paris »
UK, US and Allies Offer Israel ‘Steadfast Support’ in Joint Statement
GUARDIAN INTERNATIONAL: Quint group – which also includes France, Germany and Italy – says ‘terrorist actions’ of Hamas must be ‘universally condemned’
The leaders of the UK, US, France, Germany and Italy have released a joint statement expressing “steadfast and united support” for the state of Israel and “unequivocal condemnation” of Hamas.
It follows an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday by the Palestinian militant group, with Israel responding with airstrikes and a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip.
The statement was released after a call between the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak; the US president, Joe Biden; the French president, Emmanuel Macron; the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz; and the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. Together the five countries comprise the Quint international organisation.
“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned,” the statement reads. “There is never any justification for terrorism. » | Hayden Vernon | Monday, October 9, 2023
The leaders of the UK, US, France, Germany and Italy have released a joint statement expressing “steadfast and united support” for the state of Israel and “unequivocal condemnation” of Hamas.
It follows an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday by the Palestinian militant group, with Israel responding with airstrikes and a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip.
The statement was released after a call between the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak; the US president, Joe Biden; the French president, Emmanuel Macron; the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz; and the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. Together the five countries comprise the Quint international organisation.
“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned,” the statement reads. “There is never any justification for terrorism. » | Hayden Vernon | Monday, October 9, 2023
Thursday, October 05, 2023
It Is Concerning to Watch UK Disengage from the World, Says Irish PM
GUARDIAN EUROPE: Leo Varadkar warns that Brexit, aid cuts and talk of abandoning human rights treaty ‘not the Britain I know’
Leo Varadkar in Granada, Spain, where he will hold bilateral talks with Rishi Sunak as part of the European Political Community summit. Photograph: Jon Nazca/Reuters
Ireland’s prime minister has said he is concerned to see the UK “disengaging from the world”, and accused it of turning inwards by leaving the EU, slashing international aid and now considering abandoning a human rights treaty.
Speaking before a bilateral meeting with Rishi Sunak in the Spanish city of Granada, Leo Varakdar said he could barely recognise the country.
Asked if he was concerned over threats made by the UK to walk away from the European convention on human rights, he replied: “I am, to be honest.”
The British home secretary, Suella Braverman, has questioned whether the convention is “fit for purpose”.
“The Britain and United Kingdom that I love and admire, it is the country of the Magna Carta, the country that founded parliamentary democracy and the country that helped to write the European convention on human rights,” Varadkar said.
“It does bother me to see the United Kingdom disengaging from the world – whether it’s reducing its budget for international aid, whether it’s leaving the European Union and now even talking about withdrawing from the European convention on human rights. That’s not the Britain I know,” he said. » | Lisa O’Carroll in Granada | Thursday, October 5, 2023
Ireland’s prime minister has said he is concerned to see the UK “disengaging from the world”, and accused it of turning inwards by leaving the EU, slashing international aid and now considering abandoning a human rights treaty.
Speaking before a bilateral meeting with Rishi Sunak in the Spanish city of Granada, Leo Varakdar said he could barely recognise the country.
Asked if he was concerned over threats made by the UK to walk away from the European convention on human rights, he replied: “I am, to be honest.”
The British home secretary, Suella Braverman, has questioned whether the convention is “fit for purpose”.
“The Britain and United Kingdom that I love and admire, it is the country of the Magna Carta, the country that founded parliamentary democracy and the country that helped to write the European convention on human rights,” Varadkar said.
“It does bother me to see the United Kingdom disengaging from the world – whether it’s reducing its budget for international aid, whether it’s leaving the European Union and now even talking about withdrawing from the European convention on human rights. That’s not the Britain I know,” he said. » | Lisa O’Carroll in Granada | Thursday, October 5, 2023
Tuesday, October 03, 2023
US Wants UK to Open Up Its Agriculture Markets as Part of New Trade Deal
GUARDIAN INTERNATIONAL: Potentially wide-ranging agreement could be unachievable due to British objections to lower animal welfare standards
The US is pushing for Britain to open up its agricultural markets to US traders as part of a new economic agreement that would fall just short of a free trade agreement.
Washington and London have begun negotiations over a “foundational trade partnership”, which would cover subjects such as digital trade, labour protections and agriculture, according to documents seen by the Guardian and first revealed by Politico.
The partnership would not guarantee any particular levels of access for service providers to offer their products in each other’s countries, meaning it would fall short of the full free trade agreement that was promised by Brexit supporters after the leave vote.
The negotiations could run into trouble, especially over agriculture. Previous talks over a free trade agreement stalled in part because the UK refused to provide access to American food products such as chlorine-washed chicken or hormone-injected beef. » | Kiran Stacey, Political correspondent | Tuesday, October 3, 2023
From cage-free chicks to puppy mills and Avian flu: Republicans are trying to roll back animal protections: A proposed federal law would wipe out existing state laws that prevent farm animal brutality and the spread of disease »
The US is pushing for Britain to open up its agricultural markets to US traders as part of a new economic agreement that would fall just short of a free trade agreement.
Washington and London have begun negotiations over a “foundational trade partnership”, which would cover subjects such as digital trade, labour protections and agriculture, according to documents seen by the Guardian and first revealed by Politico.
The partnership would not guarantee any particular levels of access for service providers to offer their products in each other’s countries, meaning it would fall short of the full free trade agreement that was promised by Brexit supporters after the leave vote.
The negotiations could run into trouble, especially over agriculture. Previous talks over a free trade agreement stalled in part because the UK refused to provide access to American food products such as chlorine-washed chicken or hormone-injected beef. » | Kiran Stacey, Political correspondent | Tuesday, October 3, 2023
From cage-free chicks to puppy mills and Avian flu: Republicans are trying to roll back animal protections: A proposed federal law would wipe out existing state laws that prevent farm animal brutality and the spread of disease »
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Britain Passes Sweeping New Online Safety Law
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The far-reaching bill had set off debates about balancing free speech and privacy rights against efforts to halt the spread of harmful content online.
Britain passed a sweeping law on Tuesday to regulate online content, introducing age-verification requirements for pornography sites and other rules to reduce hate speech, harassment and other illicit material.
The Online Safety Bill, which also applies to terrorist propaganda, online fraud and child safety, is one of the most far-reaching attempts by a Western democracy to regulate online speech. About 300 pages long, the new rules took more than five years to develop, setting off intense debates about how to balance free expression and privacy against barring harmful content, particularly targeted at children.
At one point, messaging services including WhatsApp and Signal threatened to abandon the British market altogether until provisions in the bill that were seen as weakening encryption standards were changed.
The British law goes further than efforts elsewhere to regulate online content, forcing companies to proactively screen for objectionable material and to judge whether it is illegal, rather than requiring them to act only after being alerted to illicit content, according to Graham Smith, a London lawyer focused on internet law. » | Adam Satariano, Reporting from London | Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Britain passed a sweeping law on Tuesday to regulate online content, introducing age-verification requirements for pornography sites and other rules to reduce hate speech, harassment and other illicit material.
The Online Safety Bill, which also applies to terrorist propaganda, online fraud and child safety, is one of the most far-reaching attempts by a Western democracy to regulate online speech. About 300 pages long, the new rules took more than five years to develop, setting off intense debates about how to balance free expression and privacy against barring harmful content, particularly targeted at children.
At one point, messaging services including WhatsApp and Signal threatened to abandon the British market altogether until provisions in the bill that were seen as weakening encryption standards were changed.
The British law goes further than efforts elsewhere to regulate online content, forcing companies to proactively screen for objectionable material and to judge whether it is illegal, rather than requiring them to act only after being alerted to illicit content, according to Graham Smith, a London lawyer focused on internet law. » | Adam Satariano, Reporting from London | Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
UK Cannot Ignore Calls for Slavery Reparations, Says Leading UN Judge
THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: Patrick Robinson says reparation for transatlantic slavery ‘is required by history and is required by law’
A leading judge at the international court of justice has said the UK will no longer be able to ignore the growing calls for reparation for transatlantic slavery.
Judge Patrick Robinson, who presided over the trial of the former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević, said the international tide on slavery reparations was quickly shifting and urged the UK to change its current position on the issue.
“They cannot continue to ignore the greatest atrocity, signifying man’s inhumanity to man. They cannot continue to ignore it. Reparations have been paid for other wrongs and obviously far more quickly, far more speedily than reparations for what I consider the greatest atrocity and crime in the history of mankind: transatlantic chattel slavery,” Robinson said. » | Aamna Mohdin, Community affairs correspondent | Tuesday, August 22, 2023
A leading judge at the international court of justice has said the UK will no longer be able to ignore the growing calls for reparation for transatlantic slavery.
Judge Patrick Robinson, who presided over the trial of the former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević, said the international tide on slavery reparations was quickly shifting and urged the UK to change its current position on the issue.
“They cannot continue to ignore the greatest atrocity, signifying man’s inhumanity to man. They cannot continue to ignore it. Reparations have been paid for other wrongs and obviously far more quickly, far more speedily than reparations for what I consider the greatest atrocity and crime in the history of mankind: transatlantic chattel slavery,” Robinson said. » | Aamna Mohdin, Community affairs correspondent | Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Rishi Sunak Accused of 'Rolling Out Red Carpet' as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to Visit UK
SKY NEWS: Sources have told Sky News the pair could meet in the autumn as the UK seeks to strengthen its ties with the oil-rich nation.
Rishi Sunak met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit in Bali last November
Rishi Sunak has been accused of "rolling out the red carpet" for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman just five years after the murder of a US-based journalist caused outrage around the world.
Sources have told Sky News that the crown prince has been invited to visit the UK and that the meeting will take place in the autumn.
Prince Mohammed, also known as MBS, was accused of ordering the assassination of the Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 - a charge he has denied and blamed on rogue agents.
The scheduled visit will be his first to Britain since the murder, which was widely condemned and saw him shunned on the world stage.
A Downing Street spokesperson declined to comment on reports of the meeting with the Saudi leader when approached by Sky News, while a source said there was currently "no date in the diary". » | Alexandra Rogers | Thursday, August 17, 2023
Rishi Sunak and Saudi crown prince hope to meet ‘at earliest opportunity’: Leaders discuss plans to ‘progress UK-Saudi cooperation’ amid reports that Mohammed bin Salman has been invited to UK this autumn »
Rishi Sunak has been accused of "rolling out the red carpet" for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman just five years after the murder of a US-based journalist caused outrage around the world.
Sources have told Sky News that the crown prince has been invited to visit the UK and that the meeting will take place in the autumn.
Prince Mohammed, also known as MBS, was accused of ordering the assassination of the Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 - a charge he has denied and blamed on rogue agents.
The scheduled visit will be his first to Britain since the murder, which was widely condemned and saw him shunned on the world stage.
A Downing Street spokesperson declined to comment on reports of the meeting with the Saudi leader when approached by Sky News, while a source said there was currently "no date in the diary". » | Alexandra Rogers | Thursday, August 17, 2023
Rishi Sunak and Saudi crown prince hope to meet ‘at earliest opportunity’: Leaders discuss plans to ‘progress UK-Saudi cooperation’ amid reports that Mohammed bin Salman has been invited to UK this autumn »
Tuesday, August 01, 2023
Tax Jumps on Wine and Spirits but Falls on Fizz
BBC: A major shake-up of the way alcohol is taxed could leave many drinks costing more from Tuesday.
Under what the Treasury says are new "common-sense" principles, tax is being levied according to a drink's strength.
Duty will increase overall, with most wines and spirits seeing rises, but will fall on lower-alcohol drinks and most sparkling wine.
Taxes on draught pints will not change, an additional measure designed to support pubs.
Alcohol duties have been frozen since 2020. These changes were originally scheduled for February this year but were postponed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt as the cost-of-living crisis continued.
Now with prices still rising, though at a slower rate, the government is going ahead with a 10.1% rise in alcohol duties, and is also overhauling the system. » | Lucy Hooker, Business reporter, BBC News | Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Oh the joyless Tories! Heap more misery on the less well-off, why don’t you? Price fags and booze out of the budgets of all but the superrich. Workers and the middle class be damned!
Thank goodness I gave up smoking over one and a quarter years ago; and, as it happens, at least for the moment, I am not drinking alcohol either: I haven’t had an alcoholic drink for over five weeks. My wallet is thanking me for this as are my lungs and liver! – Mark
Trouble brewing: Rishi Sunak heckled on pint-pulling photo op: Prime minister challenged by pub landlord as he promotes changes to alcohol duty at London beer festival »
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Rishi Sunak Apologises to LGBT Veterans for Past Armed Forces Gay Ban
BBC: Rishi Sunak has apologised for the historical treatment of LGBT veterans who were sacked or forced out of the military for being gay.
The PM called the ban an "appalling failure" of the British state.
It was illegal to be gay in the British military until 2000 - with thousands of veterans thought to be affected.
A report into their treatment recommended they be given a financial reward and that the PM publicly apologise.
Addressing MPs, the prime minister said: "Many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment all while bravely serving this country."
The LGBT Veterans Independent Review, led by Britain's first openly gay judge Lord Etherton, began last year and heard about the experiences of 1,145 veterans between 1967 to 2000.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK in 1967 but a ban continued in the armed forces. According to the report, the Ministry of Defence said at the time that justification for the policy included "maintenance of operational effectiveness and efficiency" - but the report said there had been an "incomprehensible policy of homophobic bigotry" in the armed forces.
It heard shocking accounts of homophobia, bullying, blackmail, sexual assaults, "disgraceful" medical examinations, and conversion therapy. » | Megan Fisher, Lauren Moss and Josh Parry, BBC News | Wednesday, July 19, 2023
The PM called the ban an "appalling failure" of the British state.
It was illegal to be gay in the British military until 2000 - with thousands of veterans thought to be affected.
A report into their treatment recommended they be given a financial reward and that the PM publicly apologise.
Addressing MPs, the prime minister said: "Many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment all while bravely serving this country."
The LGBT Veterans Independent Review, led by Britain's first openly gay judge Lord Etherton, began last year and heard about the experiences of 1,145 veterans between 1967 to 2000.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK in 1967 but a ban continued in the armed forces. According to the report, the Ministry of Defence said at the time that justification for the policy included "maintenance of operational effectiveness and efficiency" - but the report said there had been an "incomprehensible policy of homophobic bigotry" in the armed forces.
It heard shocking accounts of homophobia, bullying, blackmail, sexual assaults, "disgraceful" medical examinations, and conversion therapy. » | Megan Fisher, Lauren Moss and Josh Parry, BBC News | Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Friday, July 14, 2023
UK Invites Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Visit
THE GUARDIAN: Saudi heir’s official visit would be first since he was accused of being behind killing of Jamal Khashoggi
Prince Mohammed visiting Paris last month, where he attended a climate finance summit. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been invited to the UK on an official visit in late autumn, the first such visit by the heir to the Saudi throne since he was accused of masterminding the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist and dissident.
Numerous UK ministers have been to Saudi Arabia in the interim, and senior Saudi ministers have also come to the UK, including the foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Prince Mohammed also spent nearly a week in Paris last month meeting the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and attending a climate finance summit.
News of the UK visit, first reported by the Financial Times, comes as Saudi Arabia tries to end the war in Yemen, and has opened up diplomatic relations with Iran. The US is seeking to persuade Saudi Arabia also to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel, but Riyadh, unlike its Gulf Arab allies the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, is resisting until there is progress on the Palestinian issue. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Friday, July 14, 2023
Rishi Sunak 'invites Mohammad bin Salman to visit UK': The Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, would be visiting for the first time since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi »
The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been invited to the UK on an official visit in late autumn, the first such visit by the heir to the Saudi throne since he was accused of masterminding the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist and dissident.
Numerous UK ministers have been to Saudi Arabia in the interim, and senior Saudi ministers have also come to the UK, including the foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Prince Mohammed also spent nearly a week in Paris last month meeting the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and attending a climate finance summit.
News of the UK visit, first reported by the Financial Times, comes as Saudi Arabia tries to end the war in Yemen, and has opened up diplomatic relations with Iran. The US is seeking to persuade Saudi Arabia also to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel, but Riyadh, unlike its Gulf Arab allies the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, is resisting until there is progress on the Palestinian issue. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Friday, July 14, 2023
Rishi Sunak 'invites Mohammad bin Salman to visit UK': The Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, would be visiting for the first time since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi »
Monday, June 19, 2023
Vision of a Classless Britain | John Major | Leading
Friday, June 16, 2023
’A Ridiculous Overestimate of Our Own Importance and Wealth’ | Peter Hitchens #politics #uk #debts
Wednesday, June 07, 2023
Heat Health Alert Issued for England This Weekend
THE GUARDIAN: Warning covers London, east Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, south-east and south-west
The first heat health alert of the year has been issued for the coming weekend in England, where temperatures could reach a peak of 30C (86F).
The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, covers six regions: London, the east Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, south east and the south west. It is in place from 9am on Friday to Monday morning. » | Sammy Gecsoyler | Wednesday, June 7, 2023
The first heat health alert of the year has been issued for the coming weekend in England, where temperatures could reach a peak of 30C (86F).
The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, covers six regions: London, the east Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, south east and the south west. It is in place from 9am on Friday to Monday morning. » | Sammy Gecsoyler | Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Thursday, June 01, 2023
Reverse Culture Shocks! Revisiting the UK from Germany
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