Latest news with #CraigMurray
Russia Today
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Recently vandalized UK warplanes are foreign assets – ex-envoy to RT (VIDEO)
The Royal Air Force warplanes defaced by pro-Palestinian activists last month are owned not by the British government but a US hedge fund, prominent human-rights activist Craig Murray has alleged. He added that at least some of the planes appear to be routinely leased out to the Israeli military. In June, several activists from the group Palestine Action broke into Brize Norton, the UK's largest airbase, and sprayed red paint into the turbines of two Voyager aircraft before fleeing the scene undetected. The group said the stunt was a protest against the supposed involvement of the Royal Air Force in Israel's military operation in Gaza. The British authorities vowed to prosecute those responsible. Speaking to RT on Sunday, Murray, who served as British ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2002 till 2004 and is an associate of WikiLeaks' co-founder Julian Assange, said that he had discovered that the planes in question were owned by Airtanker Ltd, which, in turn, is supposedly 'owned by a string of seven fake companies.' According to Murray, behind the cutout entities stands a US hedge fund named Polygon Global Partners LLP, which is the real owner of the planes. He claimed that the entity 'has joint interests with the Trump organization and BlackRock,' which has stakes in several military industrial giants. The former British diplomat told RT that of the 14 planes in question 'nine are permanently with the RAF, and five of them are sometimes with the RAF, and sometimes can be leased out to other foreign militaries, including the Israeli military.' 'It seems to be fairly definite that the Israelis are using these planes. These planes have been frequently flying to [the RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus] which has been the main military support base for Israeli activities into Gaza,' Murray claimed. He added that officials in London refuse to either confirm or deny that such military missions are carried out in support of Israel. On top of that, according to Murray, the British 'taxpayer is being ripped off' as under the contract with Polygon Global, the UK government is 'paying five times the value of these planes.' He said the agreement expires in 2049. In the wake of the vandalism, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to designate the activist group as a terrorist organization and ban it.
The National
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scotland among 7 countries to sign independence declaration
On Saturday, the International Commission for European Citizens (ICEC) conference took place in Cardiff, where members gathered to mark a milestone in the co-operation between Europe's pro-independence movements. The event was attended by the ICEC's seven member nations – Scotland, Wales, Catalunya, the Basque Country, Flanders, Sud Tirol and Veneto – as well as delegations from Brittany and Sicily. READ MORE: Kate Forbes: Bigger-picture switch is proving key in tackling tourism issues At the conference, the seven nations signed the Cardiff Declaration, a multilateral commitment to peaceful, democratic self-determination and closer collaboration between ICEC member nations. The declaration also outlined a vision for national independence based on citizen participation, mutual support and European democratic values. It states: "We believe that the Europe of the future must be built on the foundation of democracy, equality, and the sovereign will of all its peoples. In the face of persistent democratic deficits and centralising forces, we reaffirm that our shared vision is one of self-determination, greater citizen participation, and the right of all nations to shape their own futures." The declaration recognises that while each nation's journey towards independence is diverse, "our commitment is united". The declaration pledges the following: To work as closely as possible together as nations and movements to build strong and lasting bonds between us. To share knowledge, experience, good practice, and effective campaigning strategies to strengthen and accelerate the success of our respective campaigns. To support each other in the face of challenges, fostering solidarity and a spirit of mutual advancement. To commit to mass participation and grassroots engagement as the driving force of our movements, ensuring that our campaigns for independence are open, accessible, and representative of all our people. The declaration adds: "Today, in Cardiff, we stand not as isolated movements but as part of a growing, forward-looking network of nations determined to shape our own destinies – together." The conference featured campaign updates from all participating nations, as well as discussions on mass mobilisation and international opportunities. READ MORE: Craig Murray: I've been left questioning real purpose of Alba Party Those attending said they believed the conference reaffirmed the momentum of Europe's independence movements and their commitment to a just and democratic future. Commenting, Shona McAlpine, Scotland's respresentative for the ICEC, said: "The Cardiff Declaration lays the groundwork for deepened cooperation and shared progress." Phyl Griffiths, chair of YesCymru and ICEC spokesperson for Wales, added: "This is more than a statement - it's a united step forward for our nations." The ICEC is recognised as one of the most important international structures acting for the normal exercise of the right of self-determination in Europe. It works to promote co-operation, knowledge exchange and mutual advocacy among its member nations.
The National
05-07-2025
- Health
- The National
Israel kills at least 42 Palestinians in Gaza overnight
The number of Palestinians killed includes at least eight aid seekers, Al Jazeera reports. At least two people were killed and others injured on Friday night into Saturday morning in an Israeli bombing which targeted a house in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza. Another five people were killed, and others were wounded, in an Israeli attack on al-Shafi School, in the south east of Gaza City. READ MORE: Craig Murray: I've been left questioning real purpose of Alba Party In the al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, medical sources reported that seven Palestinians were killed and more than 10 injured after Israeli forces targeted tents sheltering displaced people. Among those killed included Dr Mousa Hamdan Khafaja, a consultant of obstetrics and gynaecology at Nasser Hospital, along with three of his children. According to Gaza's Government Media Office, more than 1580 health workers have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, including 90 doctors and 132 nurses. East of Khan Younis, in the town of Bani Suhaila, at least four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike, according to sources from the Nasser Medical Complex. Seperately, two people were killed in an Israeli attack on a house in al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. It comes as a new report in the Guardian has found that babies in Gaza are facing death due to critical shortages in baby milk. Dr Ahmad al-Farra, the head of paediatrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, said his ward only had a week's worth of baby milk left, which he is also forced to use for premature babies as specialised formula has run out. al-Farra told the Guardian: "I can't begin to describe how bad things are. Right now, we have enough formula for about one week. READ MORE: Here's why banning Orange marches would be a bad idea "But we also have infants outside the hospital without any access to milk. It's catastrophic." Infant formula has almost disappeared in Gaza due to Israel blocking most aid from entering the enclave. Israel has denied restricting the entry of baby food, including formula, but this has been disputed by local health authorities. The Guardian said that at least 66 Palestinian children have starved to death in Gaza since October 2023, citing local health authorities. According to a recent report from a UN-backed group of experts, 500,000 people face catastrophic hunger in Gaza, while the rest of the population is experiencing acute food insecurity.
The National
05-07-2025
- Health
- The National
Israel kills at least 35 Palestinians in Gaza overnight
The number of Palestinians killed includes at least eight aid seekers, Al Jazeera reports. At least two people were killed and others injured on Friday night into Saturday morning in an Israeli bombing which targeted a house in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza. Another five people were killed, and others were wounded, in an Israeli attack on al-Shafi School, in the south east of Gaza City. READ MORE: Craig Murray: I've been left questioning real purpose of Alba Party In the al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, medical sources reported that seven Palestinians were killed and more than 10 injured after Israeli forces targeted tents sheltering displaced people. East of Khan Younis, in the town of Bani Suhaila, at least four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike, according to sources from the Nasser Medical Complex. Seperately, two people were killed in an Israeli attack on a house in al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. It comes as a new report in the Guardian has found that babies in Gaza are facing death due to critical shortages in baby milk. Dr Ahmad al-Farra, the head of paediatrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, said his ward only had a week's worth of baby milk left, which he is also forced to use for premature babies as specialised formula has run out. al-Farra told the Guardian: "I can't begin to describe how bad things are. Right now, we have enough formula for about one week. READ MORE: Here's why banning Orange marches would be a bad idea "But we also have infants outside the hospital without any access to milk. It's catastrophic." Infant formula has almost disappeared in Gaza due to Israel blocking most aid from entering the enclave. Israel has denied restricting the entry of baby food, including formula. The Guardian said that at least 66 Palestinian children have starved to death in Gaza since October 2023, citing local health authorities. According to a recent report from a UN-backed group of experts, 500,000 people face catastrophic hunger in Gaza, while the rest of the population is experiencing acute food insecurity.
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Craig Murray: Alba blocked Holyrood bid because of jail time
In 2021, the former Ambassador to Uzbekistan was found to have published material capable of identifying four of the women who accused Mr Salmond of sexual assault. Mr Murray, who believed the prosecution of the former First Minister was unjust, attended two days of the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March 2020 and later wrote about it on his website. Three judges, including the trial judge, the Lord Justice Clerk Lady Dorrian — the second most senior judge in Scotland — ruled he was in contempt of court. They said there had been a risk of jigsaw identification: publishing material which, when combined with other publicly available information, could have identified complainers. At his sentencing, Lady Dorrian claimed Mr Murray appeared to have been 'relishing' the potential disclosure of identities, despite court orders granting the women lifelong anonymity. Mr Salmond — who died in October last year — was cleared of all charges at the trial. In a speech to Alba members shortly after Mr Murray was jailed, the former first minister stood by his friend. He said: 'In the treatment of Craig Murray, the Scottish judicial system has shamed itself internationally. 'Recently our country welcomed delegates from some 200 nations and territories to our major city of Glasgow, to discuss the future of the planet. What would these delegates have thought of us, if they knew that we were a nation which jailed journalists, particularly one of the intelligence, track record and calibre of Craig Murray?' Posting on X, Mr Murray said: 'I was given two reasons I cannot stand for Alba. My prison sentence was one, my standing for the Workers Party in Blackburn was the other. 'I only stood, on Gaza, after full discussion and agreement with Alex Salmond. I intend to fight this.' Mr Murray said he intended to fight the decision. I was given 2 reasons I cannot stand for Alba. My prison sentence was one, my standing for the Workers' Party in Blackburn was the other. I only stood, on Gaza, after full discussion and agreement with Alex Salmond. I intend to fight this. Fellow Alba members please ask your… — Craig Murray (@CraigMurrayOrg) June 25, 2025 READ MORE READ MORE In another tweet, Mr Murray said he believed the party's decision may have been a bid to establish a 'precedent they hope to use against a bigger figure than me…' Tommy Sheridan is also bidding to become an Alba candidate (Image: NQ) Though he did not name anyone in particular, last week Tommy Sheridan revealed that he had put his name forward in the hope of being selected as an Alba candidate. The former MSP was sentenced to three years in prison in 2011 for committing perjury in the £200,000 defamation case he won against the News of the World in 2006. The now-defunct tabloid had claimed he visited a swingers' club. The scandal led to Mr Sheridan quitting as leader of the SSP and forming the rival party Solidarity. At the time of his sentencing, Alba leader Kenny MacAskill was the SNP Government's justice secretary. Alba has been approached for comment.
