Latest news with #Coaker
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Debate over having Sikh Regiment in British Army resurfaces, but UK MoD says no such plans
File photo LONDON: The debate over whether there should be a Sikh regiment in the British armed forces has resurfaced but the ministry of defence (MoD) insists there are no such plans. The debate was triggered after Lord Sahota asked defence minister Lord Coaker in the House of Lords on July 7 whether there was any progress on having a Sikh regiment in the British Army, given the loyalty of Sikh soldiers in both world wars. Coaker replied, 'Let me consider that request from my noble friend. I am quite happy to meet him to see what more we can do to recognise the contribution of soldiers such as Sikhs.' This led to UK headlines such as 'Minister open to British Army Sikh regiment proposal'. But MoD sources told TOI: 'Over the years there have been conversations about this, but it would breach Britain's anti-discriminatory laws. There are no current plans for a Sikh regiment as it goes against the Equality Act. We want to do something to recognise Sikh contributions in some way, but not through a Sikh regiment.' Lord Sahota, whose grandfathers served in the British Indian army, including the 15th Punjab Regiment, told TOI: 'I don't think it would go against the Equality Act.' He pointed out the British Army has had the Staffordshire regiment and currently has the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Royal Welsh and Royal Regiment of Scotland and so on.'It doesn't mean other faiths like Hindus, Muslim or Christians wouldn't be able to serve in a Sikh regiment. If you are in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, it doesn't mean you have to be Scottish.'. 'We are struggling to recruit ethnic minorities in this country,' he said, and so having a Sikh Regiment would give Sikhs a 'reason to join.' 'They would wear turbans and have beards and it would reflect Sikh heritage and values,' he said. 'It would foster a better relationship with other countries such as India and South Asia as well,' he added. There are estimated to be only 200 Sikhs in the British Armed Forces currently. 'People tend to go in the army if their grandfather was in it. Sikhs don't have that role model here,' Sahota said. He said if there was a Punjab or Sikh Regiment they would have that role model. 'There are more than 700k Sikhs in the UK. I am sure quite a few would be prepared to follow in their great grandfather's footsteps. King Charles even told a Sikh soldier he wanted to see more Sikhs in the British Army,' the Labour life peer added.
Qatar Tribune
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
UK's commitment to landmine ban ‘unwavering', says minister
LondoncTypeface:> Britain has pledged its 'unwavering' commitment to a ban on anti-personnel landmines despite a number of NATO allies moving to pull out of an agreement prohibiting their use over the threat posed by Russia. Defence minister Vernon Coaker restated the UK's support for the Ottawa Convention as the government was pressed over whether it was considering following Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia in withdrawing from the treaty. The move by the nations bordering Russia comes amid growing fears about their belligerent neighbour following the invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has used landmines in its deadly onslaught. Coaker said while the UK acknowledged the security concerns in the region and the right of countries to make this decision, it discouraged states from using anti-personnel landmines. (PA Media/dpa)
Rhyl Journal
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
UK commitment to landmine ban ‘unwavering' says minister as allies exit
Defence minister Lord Coaker restated the UK's support for the Ottawa Convention as the Government was pressed over whether it was considering following Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia in withdrawing from the treaty. The move by the nations bordering Russia comes amid growing fears about their belligerent neighbour following the invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has used landmines in its deadly onslaught. Lord Coaker said while the UK acknowledged the security concerns in the region and the right of countries to make this decision, it discouraged states from using anti-personnel landmines. He highlighted the important role played by the convention in protecting civilians from the harm caused by the indiscriminate weapons. His response comes amid concerns that the UK's international obligations are a barrier to bolstering the nation's defence. During a debate in the Lords earlier this year, former military chief Lord Stirrup warned over 'absolute prohibitions… especially when they are applied only to the defender'. Meanwhile, the newly published national security strategy warns Britain must actively prepare for a 'wartime scenario' on domestic soil 'for the first time in many years'. The document was released as the Prime Minister attended a Nato leaders' summit in the Netherlands, where allies were being asked to hike defence funding to 5% of national economic output. Responding to a parliamentary written question on the Ottawa Convention, Lord Coaker said: 'His Majesty's Government (HMG) has noted that Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have stated their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. 'The UK acknowledges and shares concerns about the security environment in the region as a result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. 'We also acknowledge that it is the sovereign right of those countries to make this decision. 'The UK will work to mitigate impacts on vital arms control and disarmament norms, while continuing to engage bilaterally on the actions states plan to take.' He added: 'The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention) continues to play an important role in protecting civilians from harm caused by anti-personnel landmines. 'As a state party to the Ottawa Convention, the UK's commitment to it remains unwavering. 'We continue to encourage countries to join the Ottawa Convention, subscribe to its provisions and discourage states from using anti-personnel landmines.'
Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
UK commitment to landmine ban ‘unwavering' says minister as allies exit
Defence minister Lord Coaker restated the UK's support for the Ottawa Convention as the Government was pressed over whether it was considering following Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia in withdrawing from the treaty. The move by the nations bordering Russia comes amid growing fears about their belligerent neighbour following the invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has used landmines in its deadly onslaught. Lord Coaker said while the UK acknowledged the security concerns in the region and the right of countries to make this decision, it discouraged states from using anti-personnel landmines. He highlighted the important role played by the convention in protecting civilians from the harm caused by the indiscriminate weapons. His response comes amid concerns that the UK's international obligations are a barrier to bolstering the nation's defence. During a debate in the Lords earlier this year, former military chief Lord Stirrup warned over 'absolute prohibitions… especially when they are applied only to the defender'. Meanwhile, the newly published national security strategy warns Britain must actively prepare for a 'wartime scenario' on domestic soil 'for the first time in many years'. The document was released as the Prime Minister attended a Nato leaders' summit in the Netherlands, where allies were being asked to hike defence funding to 5% of national economic output. Responding to a parliamentary written question on the Ottawa Convention, Lord Coaker said: 'His Majesty's Government (HMG) has noted that Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have stated their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. 'The UK acknowledges and shares concerns about the security environment in the region as a result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. 'We also acknowledge that it is the sovereign right of those countries to make this decision. 'The UK will work to mitigate impacts on vital arms control and disarmament norms, while continuing to engage bilaterally on the actions states plan to take.' He added: 'The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention) continues to play an important role in protecting civilians from harm caused by anti-personnel landmines. 'As a state party to the Ottawa Convention, the UK's commitment to it remains unwavering. 'We continue to encourage countries to join the Ottawa Convention, subscribe to its provisions and discourage states from using anti-personnel landmines.'
Western Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
UK commitment to landmine ban ‘unwavering' says minister as allies exit
Defence minister Lord Coaker restated the UK's support for the Ottawa Convention as the Government was pressed over whether it was considering following Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia in withdrawing from the treaty. The move by the nations bordering Russia comes amid growing fears about their belligerent neighbour following the invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has used landmines in its deadly onslaught. Lord Coaker said while the UK acknowledged the security concerns in the region and the right of countries to make this decision, it discouraged states from using anti-personnel landmines. He highlighted the important role played by the convention in protecting civilians from the harm caused by the indiscriminate weapons. His response comes amid concerns that the UK's international obligations are a barrier to bolstering the nation's defence. During a debate in the Lords earlier this year, former military chief Lord Stirrup warned over 'absolute prohibitions… especially when they are applied only to the defender'. Meanwhile, the newly published national security strategy warns Britain must actively prepare for a 'wartime scenario' on domestic soil 'for the first time in many years'. The document was released as the Prime Minister attended a Nato leaders' summit in the Netherlands, where allies were being asked to hike defence funding to 5% of national economic output. Responding to a parliamentary written question on the Ottawa Convention, Lord Coaker said: 'His Majesty's Government (HMG) has noted that Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have stated their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. 'The UK acknowledges and shares concerns about the security environment in the region as a result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. 'We also acknowledge that it is the sovereign right of those countries to make this decision. 'The UK will work to mitigate impacts on vital arms control and disarmament norms, while continuing to engage bilaterally on the actions states plan to take.' He added: 'The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention) continues to play an important role in protecting civilians from harm caused by anti-personnel landmines. 'As a state party to the Ottawa Convention, the UK's commitment to it remains unwavering. 'We continue to encourage countries to join the Ottawa Convention, subscribe to its provisions and discourage states from using anti-personnel landmines.'
