Babak Belurs

Sabtu, 05 Maret 2022

Ukraine invasion: 'Putin must fail' - PM's six-point plan for resolving crisis ahead of talks with world leaders - Sky News

Boris Johnson has claimed Vladimir Putin is trying to "rewrite the rules" of international order "by military force" - as he prepares to host world leaders for talks at Downing Street.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mark Rutte of the Netherlands will visit Number 10 on Monday.

On Tuesday, Mr Johnson will host leaders of the V4 group of central European nations - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - which are already experiencing the impact of Ukraine's humanitarian crisis.

Ukraine invasion: Live updates

In an essay in The New York Times, Mr Johnson wrote: "Putin must fail and must be seen to fail in this act of aggression. It is not enough to express our support for the rules-based international order - we must defend it against a sustained attempt to rewrite the rules by military force.

"The world is watching. It is not future historians but the people of Ukraine who will be our judge."

In the same article, Mr Johnson has also launched a six-point plan of how the international community should resolve the crisis - including humanitarian and military support, economic sanctions, an attempt to find a diplomatic solution, and a renewed effort to strengthen security across Europe.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has conceded Western countries were too slow to change their approach to Russia, especially after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the Salisbury Novichok poisoning in 2018.

"I believe that the whole West should have done more earlier," she told the Sunday Express.

"We didn't do enough as Putin staged invasions into neighbouring countries. There is a great sense of resolve now to take a completely different approach."

She also said petrol and household energy bills may rise but it is incomparable to the price of not holding Putin to account: "The cost of not stopping him now would be disastrous."

Labour is urging the prime minister to bring forward new legislation to block Russian oligarchs from pursuing vexatious high-cost legal claims through British courts to avoid sanctions.

The so-called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation have previously been used to censor and threaten journalists and activists.

Sir Keir Starmer said: "We are already behind the rest of the world in enforcing sanctions against oligarchs funding Putin's murderous invasion of Ukraine.

"We can't then also give room for them to sue their way out of sanctions, while gagging the UK's media. Lawfare is not the way we do things in this country. The freedom of the British press is to be cherished, respected, and protected."

Analysis: PM pushes for harsher sanctions - but is he acting fast enough?

Joe Pike

Political correspondent

@joepike

None of Boris Johnson's six-point plan is new, but government sources argue it is intended to set out the breadth of the UK's response and ensure key commitments are acted upon.

Mr Johnson has certainly been vocal in pushing for harsher sanctions, but Labour has criticised the speed of UK measures and suggested some oligarchs will be able to move assets before their finances are restricted.

The prime minister is no doubt passionate about the central role the UK can play in this crisis, but after months of instability in No 10, it is also an opportunity to improve his battered domestic reputation and present himself as a statesman on the world stage.

His advisers will be hoping next week's photocalls and news conferences alongside Western leaders will help bolster that image.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned President Putin not to underestimate the West as he said if allies stuck together and refused to be intimidated, he was sure the Russian leader would fail in his invasion of Ukraine.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Wallace said the West "must not be afraid of Putin", who he said was "acting irrationally and inflicting horrors on Ukraine".

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2022-03-05 22:35:36Z
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Ukraine: Workers refuse to unload Russian oil from ship - BBC

People walk past the vessel berthed on the Mersey

Workers are refusing to unload Russian oil from a German-flagged ship which is moored at a major British oil refinery.

The Seacod vessel is at a terminal on the River Mersey, from where oil is usually pumped to Stanlow Oil Refinery.

The UK government has banned ships with "any Russian connection" from entering its ports due to the country's invasion of Ukraine.

However, the Unite union said cargo was not included in the ban and has called for ministers "to close this loophole".

Stanlow operators Essar said a German-flagged vessel was granted approval to berth by the Port Authority on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the refinery, which supplies 16% of road transport fuels in the UK, said Essar "remained deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine" and was "fully complying with the statutory framework implemented by the UK government with regard to Russia-related entities".

The firm said it had turned away Russian-flagged tankers earlier this week.

It added it had been "working urgently to find alternative sources of diesel while simultaneously ensuring uninterrupted supply of fuel to the North West of England".

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said they had informed the company that "Unite workers at the facility will under no circumstances unload any Russian oil regardless of the nationality of the vessel which delivers it".

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK became the first country to ban all ships that are Russian-owned, operated, controlled, registered or flagged from entering its ports.

Russia attacks Ukraine: More coverage

LIVE: Latest updates from on the ground
THE BASICS: Why is Putin invading Ukraine?
IN DEPTH: Full coverage of the conflict

However BBC business correspondent Simon Browning has said that many Russian businesses use transport that is licensed and registered in other countries, which experts describe as a "loophole" for sanction enforcement.

A government spokesperson said "the UK is in no way dependent on Russian gas, with imports making up just 4% of demand".

"Ministers are exploring options to further reduce the already small amount of imports we do get from Russia and we continue to urge Europe to put in place plans to end their dependence on Russian gas."

Earlier this week, dockers in Kent refused to unload two tankers of Russian gas, prompting the vessels to be diverted.

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Jumat, 04 Maret 2022

Ukraine invasion: Refugees fleeing war-torn country who have family in UK will be eligible for three-year UK visas - Sky News

Ukrainian refugees who have family settled in the UK will be able to apply to come to Britain for three years, the Home Office has confirmed.

Initially, the UK offered a visa to just immediate family but on Tuesday that was widened to include parents, grandparents and siblings

Announcing the first extension of the scheme earlier this week, Home Secretary Priti Patel said Ukrainians who had close relatives settled in the UK could be given leave for "an initial period of 12 months".

Live updates as Putin issues fresh warning

But on Friday, after facing calls to extend visas to all fleeing the war zone, the Home Office announced that Ukrainians leaving due to the Russian invasion will now be able to live, work and claim benefits in the UK for three years.

They could be allowed to stay longer if a future scheme allowing this is introduced.

Applications will be processed 'as quickly as possible'

The Ukraine Family Scheme will allow applications from those with immediate family, extended family members or immediate family members of an extended family member in the UK and has opened today.

Immediate family includes spouses or civil partners, unmarried partners living together for two or more years, children under 18, a parent if their child in the UK is under 18, or fiancées or proposed civil partners.

Extended family includes grown-up children, the parents of grown-up children, grandparents, grandchildren and siblings.

Individuals must be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme and have been residing in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left the country).

Those eligible can apply to the scheme without charge and their applications will be subject to security checks.

The Home Office said the scheme will allow applicants "to join family members of extend their stay in the UK" and that applications will be processed "as quickly as possible".

A sponsorship scheme will also allow individuals and organisations to bring Ukrainians to the UK.

Labour pressure for scheme to be extended

The extension of the Ukraine Family Scheme comes after Labour said the government needed to go further by introducing a "simple emergency visa available to all Ukrainians that need sanctuary and protection in the UK".

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called for a more flexible "emergency protection visa" valid for 12 months for everyone fleeing Ukraine, whether they have relatives in the UK or not.

Labour said normal visa conditions could be lifted, although biometrics and security checks would still have to be carried out and could be done en route to the UK.

"People need a simple and safe route to sanctuary right now," Ms Cooper said.

"Most want to stay close to home, especially those who have had to leave relatives behind, but the UK must play its part to help people seeking support and safety in our country too."

The SNP had previously called for a visa waiver, but Ms Patel rejected this on security grounds, saying security checks were necessary.

'Critical moment in fight for freedom'

On Friday, Ms Patel travelled to Medyka in eastern Poland on the border with Ukraine to meet people trying to flee to the UK and to see the situation for herself.

Ahead of the visit, she said: "The British government will do everything it can to support the Ukrainian people at this critical moment as they fight for freedom.

"I have developed the Ukraine family scheme following discussions with the Ukrainian government and neighbouring countries and I am proud to have launched it within a matter of days, enabling Ukrainians with family in the United Kingdom to be welcomed safely, quickly and free of charge.

"The United Kingdom stands to shoulder with Ukrainians, providing humanitarian practical support."

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A Home Office spokesperson also confirmed that in the three weeks that the current scheme has been open for, "around 100 applications" have been received, alongside "around 300 applications" from the visitor route.

Ms Patel had been under increasing pressure to extend the Ukraine Family Scheme after the EU announced fleeing Ukrainians would not need family ties in member countries to stay for three years.

More than a million refugees have fled Ukraine so far.

The Home Office said the "generous scheme" will have the aim of allowing 6,000 Ukrainians to come to the UK a week by the end of March, with capacity ramping up daily.

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2022-03-04 16:03:51Z
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Birmingham Erdington by-election: Starmer hails new MP as 'champion of working people' - BBC.com

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Sir Keir Starmer has hailed Paulette Hamilton's victory in the Birmingham Erdington by-election as the passing of a "baton" from one "great champion of working people" to another.

The former nurse polled 9,413 votes, 55% of ballots cast, as Labour increased its vote share.

She has become Birmingham's first black MP and revealed her father died just as her campaign started.

The by-election was held following the sudden death of Jack Dromey.

The veteran MP died in January aged 73 and had held the seat since 2010.

Speaking on a visit to Birmingham following the win, the Labour leader said: "Jack would be smiling this morning... looking down seeing that baton being passed to Paulette, a champion of working people for Erdington."

Addressing Ms Hamilton, he said: "You will be a fantastic champion for them, bringing them what they want most - the security of knowing they've got a champion for them in Parliament, the prosperity that they want for themselves, their businesses, their communities, and the respect that they so richly deserve."

Sir Keir, who had earlier tweeted that Ms Hamilton had "made history", added her swearing in as an MP on Monday would be a "special moment".

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Following her win, she said: "I never thought I'd be running to be an MP, but the fact that I am now not only the MP for Erdington but the first black woman - the first woman to ever get the position - I am delighted and I am still pinching myself."

Twelve candidates stood in the election and the turnout was 27%, compared with 50.3% in the 2019 general election.

Robert Alden, Conservative leader at the city council, had been vying to become the first Tory MP for the constituency since 1936.

He won 6,147, or 36% of votes, giving Ms Hamilton a majority of 3,266.

In her victory speech, Ms Hamilton said she was "exhausted but delighted".

"But I'd also like to say a special thank you to Keir Starmer for his endless support - even when my dad died, they were there, they wrapped me in cotton wool and they supported me, and my dad isn't even buried yet but they were there when I was crying."

Thanking her family and campaign team, she also gave thanks to police and council staff for the "smooth running" of the count operation.

"I know it's a lot of work that often goes unmentioned, so thank you for your endless professionalism and commitment to the democratic process," she added.

"Something I think we all treasure even more following the events in Europe."

Prior to the election, Conservative MPs Tom Hunt and Gary Sambrook had called on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to suspend Ms Hamilton, following comments she made at an event titled "The Ballot or the Bullet - Does your vote count?" in 2015 about increasing ethnic minorities' representation in politics.

Mr Hunt added she should have the party whip withdrawn if she was elected.

A Labour spokesman said: "In Paulette, the people of Birmingham Erdington have elected a great local champion.

"We're delighted that this campaign has seen the first black MP elected from a Birmingham constituency."

Some 17,016 ballots were cast in the election, in an electorate of 62,996.

Some in the local black community said they were surprised the city had not had a black MP before.

Shopkeeper Buki Hannawai said it was "shocking" and "really quite sad".

But she welcomed the development and said: "It's positive change for me personally as a local resident and as someone who works in the area as well."

She also believes Ms Hamilton will feel the pressure of being the first and said: "It's with anything, across society. If you're the first, you're carrying everybody with you and their expectations."

Analysis - Rob Mayor, political reporter - BBC Radio WM

This was a by-election which started with the background of investigations into parties at Downing Street and ended overshadowed by war in Ukraine.

It's a case of as you were for the two main parties, though Labour's vote share increased and the Conservatives' reduced slightly.

The Lib Dems meanwhile were beaten down to sixth behind the Trade Unionist Socialist Coalition, Reform Party and the Greens.

This result may not tell us a huge amount about the standing of the two parties with voters, but it is a landmark moment, as Paulette Hamilton becomes the first black MP to represent a Birmingham constituency.

Mr Alden said the low turnout was a reflection Labour was not "ready to govern".

"This is a seat that has been Labour over the last 85 years... the fact the majority is so small here today is really a damning indictment where the Labour party is nationally," he added.

Mr Dromey, a shadow minister married to fellow Labour MP Harriet Harman, made his name in politics through the union movement, as a leading figure in the Transport and General Workers' Union, which later became Unite.

In the 2019 general election he won the seat with 17,720 of votes cast.

A by-election is held when a seat becomes vacant when an MP resigns or dies, is declared bankrupt, takes a seat in the House of Lords or is convicted of a serious criminal offence.

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Kamis, 03 Maret 2022

Sarah Everard: Family say 'we miss her all the time' one year on from brutal murder - Sky News

Sarah Everard's family have said their lives are "changed forever" and "we miss her all the time" in a tribute to mark a year since the marketing executive's murder.

Ms Everard, 33, was kidnapped, raped and murdered in south London on 3 March 2021.

Her killer was a serving Metropolitan Police Officer, Wayne Couzens, who is now serving a whole-life jail term.

In a statement, Ms Everard's family said: "It is a year since Sarah died and we remember her today, as every day, with all our love. Our lives have changed forever and we live with the sadness of our loss. Sarah was wonderful and we miss her all the time.

"Over the past year, we have been overwhelmed with the kindness shown to us, not just by family and friends, but by the wider public. We are immensely grateful to everyone for their support, it has meant such a lot to us and has comforted us through this terrible time.

"Sadly, Sarah is not the only woman to have lost her life recently in violent circumstances and we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to other families who are also grieving."

Ms Everard went missing on 3 March 2021 as she was walking home near Clapham Common.

Her disappearance sparked a mass search across south London and six days later Couzens was arrested in Kent, first on suspicion of kidnapping and later for murder.

Ms Everard's remains were found in woodland near Ashford, Kent, on 10 March.

The Metropolitan Police firearms officer has used his warrant card and handcuffs to kidnap Ms Everard as she walked home, using COVID-19 lockdown rules as the premise for a false arrest.

Couzens, 48, had been planning the crime for at least a month.

Vigils were held for Ms Everard around the UK and one gathering in Clapham Common led to criticism for the police response after four people were arrested for breaching COVID regulations.

Couzens pleaded guilty to kidnapping and rape on 8 June and gave another guilty plea for murder the following day.

Lord Justice Fulford gave Couzens a whole life order on 30 September.

Prime minister and London mayor pay tribute

Boris Johnson paid tribute to Ms Everard saying that his "heart goes out to the family and friends of Sarah Everard today".

"The circumstances of her death were truly horrifying and I cannot imagine the pain they have suffered over this past year," he said.

"It is unacceptable that so many women and girls still fear and face violence and abuse, and perpetrators must be held to account for their actions. Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets."

London mayor Sadiq Khan also paid tribute, saying that "we must prevent" violence against women and girls.

"I want every woman and girl to be safe, and to feel safe - whatever the time of day and wherever they are in the capital," he said.

"I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure that ending violence against women and girls is treated with the utmost urgency, both by our police and society as a whole."

Government inquiry into the murder

In January, Priti Patel announced an inquiry in Ms Everard's murder will inform the government on what policing issues need to be addressed and how the protection of women should be considered.

The home secretary revealed the terms of reference for the first phase of the inquiry, which will be led by Dame Elish Angiolini, investigating how, as a serving officer, Couzens was able to abduct, rape, and murder Everard as she walked home in south London in March last year.

Following this, there are plans for a second part that will look at wider issues in policing.

The Met Police has commissioned its own review of the culture and standards at the force.

The focus on police behaviour in the wake of Ms Everard's murder has had ongoing consequences. The former comissioner Dame Cressida Dick resigned after Mr Khan said he had lost confidence in her ability to come up with a robust plan for dealing with officers' behaviour.

The past year has also seen a number of high profile alleged stranger murders of women, including the deaths of PCSO Julia James and teachers Sabina Nessa and Ashling Murphy.

Walk for 'victims of gendered violence'

On Thursday evening, a walk will take place in southwest London, which organisers The Urban Angels said is in memory of "victims of gendered violence."

The group wrote it is a "chance for us all to stand in solidarity and show that we both demand and support change".

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The event will begin at Clapham North underground station at 7pm and will finish at Clapham Common bandstand, near where Ms Everard went missing and the location of a socially distanced vigil held in her memory last year.

A statement from the Met released on the anniversary said: "Our thoughts are with Sarah Everard's family and loved ones. One year on we remain deeply disgusted and shamed that a Met police officer was responsible for Sarah's appalling murder."

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2022-03-03 09:56:15Z
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Babak Belurs

Sabtu, 05 Maret 2022

Ukraine invasion: 'Putin must fail' - PM's six-point plan for resolving crisis ahead of talks with world leaders - Sky News

Analysis: PM pushes for harsher sanctions - but is he acting fast enough?

Ukraine: Workers refuse to unload Russian oil from ship - BBC

Russia attacks Ukraine: More coverage

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Jumat, 04 Maret 2022

Ukraine invasion: Refugees fleeing war-torn country who have family in UK will be eligible for three-year UK visas - Sky News

Birmingham Erdington by-election: Starmer hails new MP as 'champion of working people' - BBC.com

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Analysis - Rob Mayor, political reporter - BBC Radio WM

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Kamis, 03 Maret 2022

Sarah Everard: Family say 'we miss her all the time' one year on from brutal murder - Sky News

Sabtu, 05 Maret 2022

Ukraine invasion: 'Putin must fail' - PM's six-point plan for resolving crisis ahead of talks with world leaders - Sky News

More from World

Analysis: PM pushes for harsher sanctions - but is he acting fast enough?

Ukraine: Workers refuse to unload Russian oil from ship - BBC

Russia attacks Ukraine: More coverage

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Clive and Valerie Warrington: Son charged with murdering parents in court - BBC

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Jumat, 04 Maret 2022

Ukraine invasion: Refugees fleeing war-torn country who have family in UK will be eligible for three-year UK visas - Sky News

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Birmingham Erdington by-election: Starmer hails new MP as 'champion of working people' - BBC.com

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Analysis - Rob Mayor, political reporter - BBC Radio WM

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Kamis, 03 Maret 2022

Sarah Everard: Family say 'we miss her all the time' one year on from brutal murder - Sky News

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