Our report on the grounding of the Netherlands registered general cargo vessel Priscilla, on Pentland Skerries in the Pentland Firth on 18 July 2018, is now published.

The report contains details of what happened, the subsequent actions taken and the recommendation made: read more.

The United Kingdom welcomes the statements of the governments of Ukraine and Russia underlining their commitment to achieving peace in eastern Ukraine, and welcomes a further disengagement between Ukrainian and Russian-backed separatist military forces.

The “Steinmeier Formula” sets out a process for granting special self-governing status to eastern Ukraine, following local elections, which must be held in accordance with Ukrainian electoral law and be deemed to be free and fair by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

FCO Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Christopher Pincher said:

I welcome this encouraging step forwards in bringing peace to eastern Ukraine and commend President Zelenskyy’s clear commitment to finding a diplomatic solution.

The United Kingdom shares the view of the Ukrainian Government that local elections in eastern Ukraine can only take place under proper conditions. These include a comprehensive ceasefire, withdrawal of foreign troops and unhindered access for international election observers and media.

Russia must now play its part to end the conflict by immediately ending its support for the separatists and upholding the commitments it signed up to in the Minsk Agreements.

The Prime Minister has been consistently clear that he wants to set out a fresh legislative programme in a Queen’s Speech. He therefore intends to request that the current session of Parliament be prorogued from the evening of Tuesday 8 October, with a Queen’s Speech on Monday 14 October.

The Government will seek to strengthen public services, improve infrastructure and connectivity across the country, tackle crime and enhance the integrity of the criminal justice system, while protecting our natural environment for the long-term.

The Prime Minister has today set out a fair and reasonable compromise for replacing the backstop and securing the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union with a deal. If a deal can be agreed at European Council, a central feature of the legislative programme will be to introduce a Withdrawal Agreement Bill and move at pace to secure its passage before 31 October.

These timings would mean Parliament is prorogued for the shortest time possible to enable all the necessary logistical preparations for a State Opening to be undertaken, including those done by the House Authorities.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said:

I want to deliver on the people’s priorities.

Through a Queen’s Speech, the Government will set out its plans for the NHS, schools, tackling crime, investing in infrastructure and building a strong economy. We will get Brexit done on 31 October and continue delivering on these vital issues.