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UK underlines that unresolved issues in Syria’s declaration of its chemical weapons programme are “of a serious and substantive nature”
UK urges ongoing coordination between the UN and OPCW to collectively resolve the issue of Syria’s chemical weapons programme
Transcript of statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on Syria chemical weapons, 3 February 2021
We extend our thanks to High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing today and I welcome the contributions from other members of the Council. As recognised by the Security Council in resolution 2118, ongoing coordination between the UN and the OPCW is vital if we are to collectively resolve this issue.
Despite decisions by this Council and that of the OPCW Executive Council of 27 September 2013, Syria’s declaration of its chemical weapons programme can still not be considered accurate and complete. The unresolved issues are of a serious and substantive nature.
As the OPCW DG noted in his 25 January report, one of the 19 outstanding issues pertains to a chemical weapons production facility declared by the Syrian National Authority as never having been used for the production of chemical weapons. The review of all the information and other materials gathered by the Declaration Assessment Team since 2014, including samples, indicates that production and/or weaponisation of chemical warfare nerve agents did take place there.
The fact that four of the unresolved issues have been closed, shows that, contrary to the assertions of some that they are artificial, they can be resolved if Syria chooses to engage genuinely and constructively. Syria needs to provide complete access to documents and witnesses. The cat and mouse game of non-credible explanations and excuses cannot continue. The Technical Secretariat has repeatedly made clear that it stands ready to assist Syria in this regard. I note the DAT’s intention to deploy for consultations again early this month. We expect Syria to provide a full response to all the queries during those meetings.
The ongoing threat posed to international peace and security by these unresolved issues is not hypothetical, especially to the thousands of Syrians who have suffered the horrifying effects on the body of nerve agents and chlorine since 2014.
News story
New system will replace Clickshare and for use in presenting multi-media evidence in court.
From Monday 15 February 2020, the Evidence Presentation System (EPS) will begin rolling out to Crown and magistrates’ courts, replacing the existing device used in courtrooms to present multi-media evidence, Clickshare, for which technical support will end in April.
The EPS technology, which can be provided through a cable or wirelessly through wifi, was successfully tested at Guildford Crown Court in November 2020 and has been approved for wider introduction as a solution by the Senior Presiding Judge, with the Bar Council also expressing support.
A wired and wireless solution will be introduced across courtrooms in Crown Courts, with wifi only in magistrates’ courts due to more common physical limitations.
Work will begin to replace Clickshare equipment firstly in Crown Courts which is due to complete by the end of April 2021, before proceeding to the magistrates’ courts where completion is scheduled for the end of July 2021.
During this transition period, we do not anticipate any disruption to court business and any installation work will be undertaken out of hours. HMCTS will continue to support the use of Apple devices with Clickshare until the EPS rollout is complete, and users should speak to court staff if they encounter difficulties with their device in the interim.
User guides will be made available and the Clickshare web pages will be replaced with the new EPS guidance during the rollout.
Should you have any questions about the replacement, please contact the Courts and Tribunals Development Directorate at CrimeSupport@Justice.gov.uk.
Published 4 February 2021
The Common Platform has gone live in further “early adopter” sites at Bristol Crown and Magistrates’ Courts, representing a major step forward for the Criminal Justice System in making the best use of digital technology. It has already been well established in Derby Crown and Magistrates’ Courts, and Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court and delivers a single, seamless source of information for participants in a criminal case from the initial point of arrest and throughout.
Designed to be used by court staff, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), defence professionals, police and other justice agencies, it provides secure, tailored access to information, so users can only access the information appropriate to them.
Once fully rolled out in England and Wales, Common Platform will enable greater efficiency across the Criminal Justice System. Today is the latest step in the first stage of introducing it to a series of selected early adopter courts across England and Wales, and progress has been made despite the uniquely challenging context of COVID-19.
Christine Murray, Delivery Director for the south-west region, said:
HMCTS staff in the south-west region, and colleagues from partner agencies across Bristol and the wider Avon and Somerset area, have worked exceptionally hard together to bring the Bristol early adopter sites to a stage of readiness, in spite of the challenges being presented by the pandemic.
It is a fantastic achievement, and great testament to the strength of our local relationships and the value of truly collaborative working. A huge thank you to everyone involved.
Common Platform cuts down the need for manual document handling and improves how criminal cases are accessed, managed and processed. It removes the need to copy information from one system to another, ensuring the integrity of crucial information and minimising duplication of effort. A range of features ensure cases are progressed effectively – for example, the system will automatically alert users when new case documents are available, or when tasks are outstanding.
The next courts due to go live with Common Platform will be in the north-east and south-east regions:
Watch our webinar introducing Common Platform
Learn how defence professionals can register for an account
View guidance and learning materials for defence professionals
News story
Darren Rose has had his jail sentence increased following intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.
A Portsmouth man has had his jail sentence increased following intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.
Darren Rose, 29, was found guilty of aggravated burglary and wounding with intent against two victims. Prior to this case the offender had 38 previous convictions, a number of which involved theft and violence.
Rose was convicted of breaking into a shared house in the early hours of 26 October 2019 and assaulting a man with a wine bottle. Rose was jealous of the perceived relationship his victim had with Rose’s then partner. A female housemate who confronted Rose was also assaulted and other residents were left in fear.
On 8 October 2020, Rose was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Following the court’s decision, the Solicitor General referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. On 4 February 2021, the Court found the sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 9 years’ imprisonment.
After the hearing at the Court of Appeal the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, said:
Rose broke into a house and assaulted two innocent people. The Court of Appeal’s decision to extend his sentence was the right one, and I hope this will lead to comfort for his victims.
Published 4 February 2021