UK revokes arms-export licences to Israel
By Ian Dunt Britain has revoked its arms export licence to Israel following its attack on the Gaza Strip at the turn of the year. The decision follows an announcement in April by foreign secretary David Miliband that he would review all arms exports to Israel in the wake of the Gaza Strip offensive, which […]
As-it-happened: Baha Mousa inquiry opening session
Welcome to politics.co.uk's as-it-happens page. Here you can keep up to date with major parliamentary debates, press conferences or news events in real time. Just hit refresh on your browser to see the latest development. After months of preparation, the Baha Mousa public inquiry is getting underway in central London today. Oral evidence sessions […]
British Afghan strategy under attack
By Ian Dunt and Alex Stevenson Gordon Brown has admitted Britain’s forces in Afghanistan face a time of “great challenge”, as the country mourned the deaths of eight British soldiers in just 24 hours. But the prime minister told the Commons he was determined not to yield Helmand province to the Taliban because of the […]
Britain ‘needs bigger picture’ on Baha Mousa death
By Alex Stevenson The Baha Mousa inquiry is being viewed as an opportunity to end “frustration” with previous investigations into the Iraqi’s death, it has been claimed. Aonghus Kelly of Public Interest Lawyers, the firm representing Mr Mousa’s family, told politics.co.uk the independent inquiry was a chance to find out “how someone who was taken […]
Timeline: Baha Mousa inquiry
Getting to this point has been something of a battle for the lawyers representing Baha Mousa’s family.
Bereaved mother wins Land Rover judicial review
By Liz Stephens The mother whose son was killed serving in Iraq has won the right to a judicial review of the government’s refusal to hold a public inquiry into the use of Snatch Land Rovers. The lightly armoured vehicles have been criticised for offering insufficient protection to soldiers from bomb blasts. Susan Smith, from […]
Clegg lays into Afghanistan tactics
By politics.co.uk staff A decision not send in another 2,000 troops to Afghanistan was made for political reasons, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has claimed. Mr Clegg alleged that an army request for an extra batch of troops was turned down, and that troops were operating in a “political vacuum”. “I think we are putting […]
EU snubs Iran over UK embassy arrests
By Alex Stevenson Iran’s ambassadors are being summoned by member states across the European Union, it has emerged, in what is being viewed as a major victory for the Foreign Office. The development is the latest escalation of an ongoing diplomatic crisis between Britain and Iran after nine UK-employed diplomats were arrested last weekend. Earlier […]
Increased London anger against Iran
By Alex Stevenson Britain is considering suspending ‘normal’ relations with Iran in the wake of a series of diplomatically provocative incidents in the unstable Middle Eastern country. Senior figures in Iran accused Britain of fomenting unrest following the recent disputed election and last weekend nine UK diplomats were arrested. All but one have now been […]
British MP joins chorus of criticism against Israeli ‘war crimes’
By politics.co.uk staff A leading British MP has joined the chorus of criticism against Israel’s actions in the Gaza conflict, as the country refused to cooperate with an Amnesty report condemning its tactics. The 117-page report by Amnesty International found Israeli forces killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians and destroyed thousands of homes in Gaza […]
