Latest news with #FCDO
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Widespread travel disruption expected across France
French air traffic control unions have called for a strike on July 3 and 4, impacting flights across France. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has requested airlines to significantly reduce flights, including 25 per cent at Paris airports and up to 50 per cent at other regional airports like Nice and Bastia. The strike, initiated by UNSA-ICNA, seeks improved pay and increased staffing for air traffic controllers after failed negotiations. Passengers are advised to expect significant disturbances and delays at all French airports and should consider changing their flights if possible. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning, urging travellers to monitor operator advice and local authorities' guidance.
ITV News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Harry Dunn's family raise concerns Foreign Office will ‘hide' final report after investigation
The family of Harry Dunn have expressed concerns that the Foreign Office will attempt to 'hide' the final report from a parliamentary review into the case following an 11th-hour invitation to meet the foreign secretary. Harry's mother Charlotte Charles is due to meet David Lammy with other family members on Wednesday following an invitation for him to 'hear the family's views and concerns'. The review is not set to scrutinise the role or actions of the US government but will examine the support the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) offered the Dunn family. The 19-year-old died on 27 August 2019 when his motorbike was hit by a car driven by a former US state department employee, outside the American military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. Anne Sacoolas, 45, eventually pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger told FCDO officials they were concerned there was 'no explicit provision for the publication of the final report' in the review's proposed terms of reference. His words prompted an invitation to meet with Mr Lammy on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the review's official announcement. Mrs Charles said she was 'apprehensive' ahead of the meeting, adding: 'I won't accept anything less than a full, open and transparent process.' She added: 'After everything we've been through, the idea that the government might try to hide Anne Owers' report fills me with dread. "Why did we get shunned, why did we get pushed down the road, why didn't they want to speak to us?" she told ITV News. "We need to have reassurances that the next family will get treated an awful lot better than we did," she added. The meeting comes just days after a report said the disgraced ex-chief constable of Northamptonshire Police had a 'detrimental' impact on the investigation – including making erroneous media statements and causing a breakdown in relations with his family, The report said Nick Adderley, who was sacked in June last year after lying about serving in the Falklands War, was reprimanded by the Foreign Office for making inaccurate comments about Ms Sacoolas's immunity status after she had left the UK. Ahead of the meeting on Wednesday, Mr Seiger said: "It is not lost on us that the only reason we appear to have been called in is because we asked for only one basic and reasonable assurance – that Anne Owers' report will be published. 'That request appears to have put the cat among the pigeons ahead of the government formally announcing the inquiry tomorrow. 'The fact that it has prompted such an urgent response gives us real concern that publication of the report may not have been the government's intention.' Mr Seiger continued: 'Although we will not get ahead of ourselves, if that proves to be the case, I can say categorically on behalf of the family that we will have no part in any process that lacks transparency. 'It must follow that Anne Owers' report, the first and only detailed look into those failures must be published. Without that, we cannot move forward." In a statement, the FCDO said: 'The Foreign Secretary has always made clear his commitment to support Harry Dunn's family and learn lessons from this tragedy. 'It is right we brief the family first on any developments and will announce further details in due course.'
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Dunn family raise concerns Foreign Office will try to ‘hide' final review report
The family of Harry Dunn have expressed concerns the Foreign Office will attempt to 'hide' the final report from a parliamentary review into the case following an eleventh hour invite to meet the Foreign Secretary. Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, as well as other family members, are due to meet David Lammy on Wednesday following an invitation for him to 'hear the family's views and concerns'. The review is not set to scrutinise the role or actions of the US government, but will examine the support the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) offered the Dunn family after the teenager was killed by a former US state department employee in a road crash in 2019. The Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger told FCDO officials they were concerned there was 'no explicit provision for the publication of the final report' in the review's proposed terms of reference. His words prompted an invitation to meet with Mr Lammy on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the review's official announcement, which is expected on Thursday. Mrs Charles said she was 'apprehensive' ahead of the meeting, adding: 'I won't accept anything less than a full, open and transparent process.' Mr Seiger told the PA news agency the family will 'have no part in any process that lacks transparency'. Anne Sacoolas, the American driver who killed Harry, had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf following the incident outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire before a senior Foreign Office official said the US government should 'feel able' to put her on the next flight home. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Seiger told PA: 'We are grateful to the Foreign Secretary for making time to meet us today. 'That said, it is not lost on us that the only reason we appear to have been called in is because we asked for only one basic and reasonable assurance – that Anne Owers' report will be published. 'That request appears to have put the cat amongst the pigeons ahead of the government formally announcing the inquiry tomorrow. 'The fact that it has prompted such an urgent response gives us real concern that publication of the report may not have been the Government's intention.' Mr Seiger continued: 'Although we will not get ahead of ourselves, if that proves to be the case, I can say categorically on behalf of the family that we will have no part in any process that lacks transparency. 'It would defeat the entire purpose of the inquiry and would represent a betrayal of everything Harry stood for and the brave fight the family put up on his behalf. 'We have always been grateful for David Lammy's support over the years. 'It must follow that Anne Owers' report, the first and only detailed look into those failures must be published. Without that, we cannot move forward. 'We owe it to Harry, to our public institutions, and to every future family who might find themselves in a similar nightmare.' Mrs Charles said any attempt by the Government to 'hide' the final report 'fills me with dread'. She told PA: 'I feel incredibly apprehensive going into this meeting. 'After everything we've been through, the idea that the Government might try to hide Anne Owers' report fills me with dread. 'We have never wanted anything more than the full truth and for lessons to be learned, not just for Harry, but to stop any other family from suffering like we have. 'I won't accept anything less than a full, open and transparent process.' In a statement, the FCDO said: 'The Foreign Secretary has always made clear his commitment to support Harry Dunn's family and learn lessons from this tragedy. 'It is right we brief the family first on any developments and will announce further details in due course.'
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Warning over reduced flights in one of Europe's busiest airports
Travellers planning to fly to or from France face significant disruption as the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has requested airlines to cut flights due to an air traffic control strike. The agency announced on Tuesday that airlines have been asked to reduce flights at Paris airports by 25 per cent on July 3. Further widespread cuts to flights are also requested across France, with a 50 per cent reduction requested for flights from Nice, Bastia, and Calvi, and a 30 per cent cut for services from Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio, and Figari. Despite these preventative measures, the agency warned that "disturbances and significant delays are to be expected at all French airports," advising passengers to change their flights if they are able to do so. The news comes as France's second-largest air traffic controllers ' union, UNSA-ICNA, filed a strike notice for 3 July and 4 July, ahead of the summer holiday getaway. The union is calling for improved pay and more staff. The strike comes after a meeting last Wednesday with the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) was unable to reach an agreement. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has issued a warning to travellers in light of the strikes. A spokesperson for FCDO said: 'There can be frequent industrial action across France. 'This can lead to disruption and delays on roads and public transport. 'If you're due to travel to or within France, monitor the media, check your operator's advice and follow the advice of the authorities. 'On 3 and 4 July, planned industrial action by air traffic control unions is expected to disrupt flights to and from airports across France. "Check your operator's advice before travelling, including where you are taking connecting flights.'
Leader Live
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Dunn family raise concerns Foreign Office will try to ‘hide' final review report
Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, as well as other family members, are due to meet David Lammy on Wednesday following an invitation for him to 'hear the family's views and concerns'. The review is not set to scrutinise the role or actions of the US government, but will examine the support the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) offered the Dunn family after the teenager was killed by a former US state department employee in a road crash in 2019. The Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger told FCDO officials they were concerned there was 'no explicit provision for the publication of the final report' in the review's proposed terms of reference. His words prompted an invitation to meet with Mr Lammy on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the review's official announcement, which is expected on Thursday. Mrs Charles said she was 'apprehensive' ahead of the meeting, adding: 'I won't accept anything less than a full, open and transparent process.' Mr Seiger told the PA news agency the family will 'have no part in any process that lacks transparency'. Anne Sacoolas, the American driver who killed Harry, had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf following the incident outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire before a senior Foreign Office official said they should 'feel able' to put her on the next flight home. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Seiger told PA: 'We are grateful to the Foreign Secretary for making time to meet us today. 'That said, it is not lost on us that the only reason we appear to have been called in is because we asked for only one basic and reasonable assurance – that Anne Owers' report will be published. 'That request appears to have put the cat amongst the pigeons ahead of the government formally announcing the inquiry tomorrow. 'The fact that it has prompted such an urgent response gives us real concern that publication of the report may not have been the Government's intention.' Mr Seiger continued: 'Although we will not get ahead of ourselves, if that proves to be the case, I can say categorically on behalf of the family that we will have no part in any process that lacks transparency. 'It would defeat the entire purpose of the inquiry and would represent a betrayal of everything Harry stood for and the brave fight the family put up on his behalf. 'We have always been grateful for David Lammy's support over the years. 'It must follow that Anne Owers' report, the first and only detailed look into those failures must be published. Without that, we cannot move forward. 'We owe it to Harry, to our public institutions, and to every future family who might find themselves in a similar nightmare.' Mrs Charles said any attempt by the Government to 'hide' the final report 'fills me with dread'. She told PA: 'I feel incredibly apprehensive going into this meeting. 'After everything we've been through, the idea that the Government might try to hide Anne Owers' report fills me with dread. 'We have never wanted anything more than the full truth and for lessons to be learned, not just for Harry, but to stop any other family from suffering like we have. 'I won't accept anything less than a full, open and transparent process.' In a statement, the FCDO said: 'The Foreign Secretary has always made clear his commitment to support Harry Dunn's family and learn lessons from this tragedy. 'It is right we brief the family first on any developments and will announce further details in due course.'
