Latest news with #ForeignCommonwealthandDevelopmentOffice
ITV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
US government will not be scrutinised in Harry Dunn death case
A parliamentary review into how the Foreign Office handled the death of Harry Dunn will not include scrutiny of the role or actions of the US government, it is understood. The 19-year-old's family met with senior officials at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Wednesday where they were told the probe will be led by former chief inspector of prisons Dame Anne Owers. It is understood that the review is set to examine the support the FCDO offered the Dunn family after Harry was killed by a former US state department employee in a road crash in 2019. The American driver, Anne Sacoolas, 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. It is understood the probe, which is scheduled to last for three months, is also set to look at the actions taken by the Foreign Office in the months after Harry's death and the nature of internal decision-making. The review will also look to identify lessons to be learned for the FCDO for comparable future situations. The involvement of the US government, which asserted the diplomatic immunity on behalf of Ms Sacoolas, will not be examined – alongside any issues covered in previous court hearings. Dame Anne could look to request interviews with relevant staff within the Foreign Office at the time of Harry's death, as well as documents from within the FCDO. Following the meeting, family spokesman Radd Seiger told reporters 'I think overall the family are feeling that we are going to leave a legacy for Harry, which is that no family should ever be treated the way this family were by their own government. 'The American government really were stepping on their rights; nobody really from the government stepped forward to help them. 'Dame Anne is going to look into all of this and make a series of recommendations to David Lammy that should this ever happen again, whether here or abroad, that they will get the support and representation of the Government that they need. So we are very, very pleased. 'The reason we got justice for Harry in the end was no thanks to the United Kingdom government; it was thanks to the British public and the media on both sides of the Atlantic, who spoke truth to power and made sure that we held them to account.' Harry's mother Charlotte Charles said the current Government was more 'welcoming' than the previous Conservative one. She said: 'I think this Government is totally different to what we were dealing with before: they were calmer, they seemed to want to engage with us, they are welcoming us to the Foreign Office. 'We aren't being shoved down the road and they seem to have a lot of patience and time for us to get the answers that we need. 'The previous government's meetings were very fraught. I think they had us in their offices under duress almost. 'I think they almost felt like they had to do it and we could feel that in the room. But since the Labour Government got in, they've been more open with us and more welcoming. 'She said she hoped the inquiry would 'get to the reason as to why we were treated so poorly'. Ms Charles added: 'Why did they kick us down the road, why did they try to shove Harry's life under the carpet? 'What was more important than our son's life? They were rude, they were brutal with us. They were not engaging with us at all. 'They did everything they possibly could to try to make us go away and give up. The answers we need now are why. What were they so scared of?'
The Herald Scotland
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Israel-Iran conflict set to dominate as world leaders gather for G7
Leaders have been urging calm in recent days since Israel first launched strikes against Iran before the weekend, with Sir Keir having held calls with Mr Trump, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz among others. Israel and Iran continued to exchange fire on Sunday, as the Iranian health ministry said that 224 people have been killed since the conflict ignited on Friday. Israel's attacks have killed a number of Tehran's top generals, as the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which controls Iran's arsenal of ballistic missiles, said intelligence chief General Mohammad Kazemi and two other generals were the latest killed. The UK Government updated its travel guidance to advise against all travel to Israel on Sunday amid the continuing blows. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office website warns that 'travel insurance could be invalidated' if people travel against the advice, and described the current status as a 'fast-moving situation that poses significant risks'. Asked about reports that ministers have drawn up contingency plans to evacuate British nationals from Israel, a Number 10 spokesman said on Sunday: 'We always monitor the situation closely and we keep contingency plans, as you'd expect, under constant review.' The Associated Press reported on Sunday that Mr Trump in recent days vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mr Trump said on Sunday that 'Iran and Israel should make a deal'. 'We will have peace soon between Israel and Iran,' he posted on his TruthSocial platform. 'Many calls and meetings now taking place.' He also told ABC News that 'it's possible we could get involved' in the conflict. A planned sixth round of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme did not take place on Sunday. 'We remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon,' a senior US official said. The UK has been calling for de-escalation, and Sir Keir confirmed on Saturday that more RAF jets would be sent to the region for 'contingency support'. Earlier on Sunday, Rachel Reeves said that the decision to send the planes ' does not mean that we are at war'. 'We do have important assets in the region and it is right that we send jets to protect them and that's what we've done. 'It's a precautionary move,' she told Sky News. Oil prices surged surged on Friday after Israel's initial strikes against Iran's nuclear programme, sparking fears of increasing prices in the UK. The Chancellor told the BBC that there is 'no complacency' from the Treasury on the issue and 'we're obviously, monitoring this very closely as a government'. An Iranian health ministry spokesman said on social media that as well as the 224 fatalities, 1,277 other people were admitted to hospital. He asserted that more than 90% of the casualties were civilians.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brit teen who 'went missing in Thailand' arrested in Georgia 'on drug offences'
A teenager reported missing in Thailand has now been confirmed as being arrested in Georgia on drug offences. Bella May Culley's mum Lyanne Kennedy said on Tuesday morning that her daughter was believed to have last seen in the Pattaya area of Thailand and hadn't been in contact with her family since Saturday. The 18-year-old's relatives have flown out to the country to search for Bella and her mum said they are all desperate for news. But in a shock update on Tuesday afternoon, Cleveland Police said that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested in the Eastern European country on suspicion of drugs offences. A force update reads: 'Update on Billingham woman who was reported missing overseas. We have this afternoon had confirmation from the authorities in Georgia that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested there on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody.' Bella first flew out to the Philippines just after Easter and had been travelling with a friend around the islands. She is believed to have flown to Thailand on around May 3. As previously reported, she was in regular contact with her mum and was due to speak with her on Saturday but the family has had no word since and her phone is thought to be switched off. Bella's father Neil Culley has now flown out to Thailand with his sister Kerrie Culley to try to get answers. Lyanne told Teesside Live: "She flew out to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and she was there for three weeks. She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand on about May 3. "The last message she sent was to me and that was on on Saturday at 5.30pm saying she was going to Facetime me later. That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now. "I'm just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice." A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who is reported missing in Thailand."
Sky News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
British Paralympian Sam Ruddock reported missing in Las Vegas
A British Paralympian has been reported missing in Las Vegas, having not been seen for more than a week. Sam Ruddock, 35, who competes in cycling and shotput events, arrived in the US on 13 April and was planning to attend Vegas's WrestleMania, his friend Lucy Earl said. He stayed with her the night before he left - and is believed to have landed in the Nevada city - but has not been heard from since 16 April. "He flew on the 13th, I've got confirmation that he landed, I absolutely know Sam was in Vegas, the concerning part is he went silent from the 16th and because he is such a big presence on social media people were quite fast to notice," she said. Ruddock competed for Great Britain in the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games and has cerebral palsy. The 35-year-old, from Warwickshire, has been reported missing to police in the US and in Lincolnshire. A British Cycling spokesperson said: "British Cycling understands that para-cyclist Sam Ruddock was reported missing to UK and US police and Interpol after not being heard from since Wednesday April 16 2025, while visiting Las Vegas, USA. "We urge anyone who has been in contact with Sam since April 16 or may have any information of his whereabouts to contact their local police department as soon as possible." A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it is assisting the family of a British man reported missing in Las Vegas.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
British Paralympian Sam Ruddock reported missing in Las Vegas
A British Paralympian has been reported missing in Las Vegas, having not been seen for more than a week. Sam Ruddock, 35, who competes in cycling and shotput events, arrived in the US on 13 April and was planning to attend Vegas's WrestleMania, his friend Lucy Earl said. He stayed with her the night before he left - and is believed to have landed in the Nevada city - but has not been heard from since 16 April. "He flew on the 13th, I've got confirmation that he landed, I absolutely know Sam was in Vegas, the concerning part is he went silent from the 16th and because he is such a big presence on social media people were quite fast to notice," she said. Ruddock competed for Great Britain in the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games and has cerebral palsy. Read more from Sky News The 35-year-old, from Warwickshire, has been reported missing to police in the US and in Lincolnshire. A British Cycling spokesperson said: "British Cycling understands that para-cyclist Sam Ruddock was reported missing to UK and US police and Interpol after not being heard from since Wednesday April 16 2025, while visiting Las Vegas, USA. "We urge anyone who has been in contact with Sam since April 16 or may have any information of his whereabouts to contact their local police department as soon as possible." A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it is assisting the family of a British man reported missing in Las Vegas.
