Feb82017

Clive Lewis to step down from shadow cabinet

Labour
image_pdfimage_print

Clive Lewis MP, commenting on
stepping down from the shadow cabinet said:

“When I became the MP for
Norwich South, I promised my constituents I would be ‘Norwich’s voice in
Westminster, not Westminster’s voice in Norwich’. I therefore cannot, in all
good conscience, vote for something I believe will ultimately harm the city I
have the honour to represent, love and call home.

“It is therefore with a heavy
heart that I have decided to resign from the shadow cabinet.

“It has been a privilege to
work with Jeremy Corbyn and be part of the shadow cabinet. I will continue to
support our party and our leader from the back benches to the very best of my
ability.”

Jeremy Corbyn MP,
commenting on Clive Lewis standing down from the shadow cabinet, said:

“I would like to thank
Clive for his work in the shadow cabinet, which has underlined what an asset he
is to the Labour Party and our movement.

“I understand the
difficulties MPs representing constituencies which voted Remain have in
relation to the European Union Withdrawal Bill. MPs have a duty to represent
their constituents as well as their party.

“However, the Labour Party
respects the outcome of the EU referendum, so we have asked all Labour MPs to
vote for the Bill at its third reading tonight.

“We have been clear from
the start that Labour will not frustrate the triggering of Article 50, which
represents the start of the process for leaving the EU.

“Labour will use every
opportunity to hold the government to account and protect jobs, rights and
living standards at every stage of the negotiations.

“I wish Clive well and look
forward to working with him in the future.”

Feb82017

Press release: The Foreign Secretary congratulates President Farmajo on his victory in the Somali presidential elections

HM Government
image_pdfimage_print

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson looks forward to meeting newly elected Somali President and working with him on shared priorities.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

I congratulate Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on his election as President of the Federal Republic of Somalia.  Somalia has made huge progress in its recovery from two decades of civil war, but significant challenges remain that President Farmajo will need to address.

Immediate attention is needed to reduce the risk of famine and improve security, including reforming the Somali security sector, and I look forward to meeting President Farmajo and working with him on these issues.

The UK remains committed to supporting the Somali people – that is why we are hosting a major international conference on Somalia in London this year. The conference will set out our shared objectives and commitments on key issues such as security, constitutional reform, elections and economic recovery.  With President Farmajo and the UN, I look forward to agreeing a new partnership between Somalia and the international community.

This is a crucial opportunity to accelerate progress and agree priorities that will help secure a brighter future for Somalia and its people.

Further information

Feb82017

Press release: UK Minister condemns Russia’s Domestic Violence law

HM Government
image_pdfimage_print

Russia’s new legislation sends the wrong message about tackling violence against women and children

On 7 February the Russian Government passed into law an amendment which decriminalises domestic violence in Russia. It reduces ‘battery within the family’ from a criminal to an administrative offence, with weaker sanctions for offenders.

Baroness Anelay, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Human Rights and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict said:

It is deeply disappointing that Russia has introduced new legislation decriminalising domestic violence. This sends the wrong message about the Russian authorities’ commitment to tackling violence in the home. Victims of domestic violence, which are most often women and children, need more protection, not less.

The UK is committed to addressing domestic violence, and particularly violence against women and girls at home and overseas. Globally, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence at some point in her lifetime. A 2008 report issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggest 14,000 women die annually at the hands of husbands or other relatives’ and that domestic violence occurs in one in four Russian families.

Tackling violence; promoting gender equality; and empowering all women and girls are essential to defending human rights. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is supporting women’s rights projects across 28 countries with a total projected spend of more than £3.5 million between 2016 and 2018.

Further information