Statement by Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State (Development and Africa):

This morning I spoke to Foreign Minister of Rwanda, Dr Vincent Biruta. We had a constructive conversation about the deteriorating security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) given the advances of M23, and the steps needed to end the conflict. I expressed my concerns about the worrying humanitarian situation and the impact on civilians is unacceptable.

The UK calls on all countries in the region to do all they can, including through the African-led peace processes, to stop the fighting and bring all parties back to the negotiating table.

A man serving time for murder has had his term increased for assaulting two prison officers while serving in a young offender institution.

Kyle Buckley, 18, serving a life sentence for a murder he committed at age 16, was involved in a fight with a self-made weapon (a screw attached to a fabric handle) in the visiting area of Wetherby Young Offender Institution on 22 July 2021.

The next month, on 30 August 2021, Buckley threw a kettle filled with boiled water over a prison officer, causing burns to his back. Buckley was restrained and spat in the eye of another prison officer when being escorted away.

On 12 September 2022 at Leeds Crown Court, Buckley was sentenced to 18 months’ detention in a young offender institution, concurrent to the sentence being served for murder.

Following the sentencing, it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

On 17 November 2022, the Court quashed the sentence handed down on 12 September. Buckley was instead ordered to serve the 18 months’ sentence consecutively to his current sentence for murder.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

Increasing Buckley’s sentence both better reflects the crimes committed and sends a clear message that offences committed by serving prisoners will not be tolerated and will be met with punishment.

The Environment Agency has withdrawn the waste permit for A1 Supa Skips Ltd at their site at Unit 37, Lune industrial Estate, Lancaster LA1 5QP, to protect the environment from harm.

Waste operators are required to operate in line with a set of rules that protect the environment and human health. Where the Environment Agency has concerns that these rules are not complied with, it can use enforcement powers to seek to withdraw a site’s permit.

The withdrawal of the site permit means that A1 Supa Skips Ltd are no longer able to conduct any form of waste operations, including accepting or processing waste.  Any form of further waste deposit or processing on the site is a criminal offence. As part of the withdrawal of the licence the operator is also required to clear the site of all waste.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

We take our responsibility to protect the environment and legitimate businesses very seriously and will take tough action where operators fail to meet our high standards.  Members of the public and businesses in the area need to be aware that it is now a criminal offence to use A1 Supa Skip Ltd to remove and dispose of waste.

Anyone who has a skip from the company on their premises or on the roadside should contact the company in the first instance to see if alternative removal arrangements can be made.

Effective regulation is vital to protect our air, land, and water from harm and to provide the level playing field legitimate businesses need to prevent being undercut by irresponsible or illegal operators. In return, we expect businesses to take responsibility for their operations and protect the environment.

Anyone who spots waste crime in their area should report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or call our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

There is currently a criminal investigation being conducted by the Environment Agency on this site and therefore we are limited to what information we can share at this time.

Two men who were involved in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs have both received increased sentences after their case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Between June 2020 and March 2022, Mario Sala, 33, and Ewyn Denecker, 33, supplied heroin and cocaine in their local area using a drug supply line known as “Gypsy”. During this period Sala would direct Denecker to deliver drugs to postcode areas, while the drug line sent out 26,000 messages to potential customers.

On 26 August 2022 at Portsmouth Crown Court, Sala was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months’ imprisonment, while Denecker was sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment. Both offenders were sentenced for conspiracy to supply the class A drugs crack cocaine and diamorphine.

Following the sentencing, the offenders’ sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

On 17 November 2022, the Court found the original sentences for both Sala and Denecker to be unduly lenient. Sala was ordered to serve a new sentence of 8 years’ imprisonment, while Denecker received a new sentence of 6 years.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

The illegal drugs supplied by Sala and Denecker are dangerous and ruin lives. Supplying class A drugs at this scale is a serious offence, so I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal to hand down longer sentences to both offenders today.