Daily Archives: 4 September 2024

‘Web of blame’ in Grenfell inquiry may be barrier to justice, bereaved families warn

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/web-blame-grenfell-inquiry-may-be-barrier-justice-bereaved-families-warn

Grenfell Tower in west London

BEREAVED survivors cautioned today that the final report on the Grenfell fire might even hinder delivering justice.

The long-awaited report on the tragic blaze, which claimed 72 lives, is scheduled to be released [this morning].

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Ahead of its release, the Grenfell Next of Kin group said that it had concerns that a “web of blame,” presented through the inquiry, would be a barrier to achieving justice.

The group said in a statement: “At a meeting with the Met Police it was confirmed that they have ‘never known a public inquiry to be conducted at the same time as a criminal investigation and examining the same issues.

“We were denied justice for seven years and now told there will be several more years.”

The Met Police previously said investigators will need at least another 12 to 18 months to announce charges, meaning that the bereaved and survivors may have to wait until 2028 for suspects to face trial.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/web-blame-grenfell-inquiry-may-be-barrier-justice-bereaved-families-warn

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At least 12 people dead after boat sinks in the English Channel

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/at-least-12-people-dead-after-boat-sinks-in-the-english-channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard the RNLI Dungeness Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel, September 3, 2024

AT LEAST 12 people trying to cross into Britain from France have died after their boat sank in the English Channel.

The deaths were confirmed today by the French coastguard after a rescue operation near the coast of Cap Gris-Nez, off Wimereux, took place.

Up to 65 people were rescued and two were still missing as the Morning Star went to print.

According to the mayor of Le Portel – where the surviving refugees were being treated – the bottom of the boat “ripped open.”

The people on board the dinghy ended up in the water and several of them needed emergency medical care, the French coastguard said.

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The International Organisation for Migration, which records Channel crossing deaths as part of its Missing Migrant Project, estimates 226 people including 35 children are missing or have died after attempting the crossing as of January this year.

According to the French coastguard, there have been at least 19 deaths in 2024 prior to Tuesday’s incident, including nine since the start of July.

Last week, France and Britain agreed to deepen co-operation on so-called illegal migration in the Channel.

At least 2,109 people have tried to cross since – the highest number of the year.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/at-least-12-people-dead-after-boat-sinks-in-the-english-channel

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Ellie Chowns MP responds to David Lammy’s statement on UK arms export licences

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Responding to David Lammy’s statement to the Commons in which he said that the UK is to suspend 30 arms export licences to Israel after a review found a “clear risk” that UK arms may be used in serious violation of humanitarian law, Ellie Chowns MP said:

Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.
Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.

“Green MPs have long called for a suspension of arms exports to Israel. The Foreign Secretary’s announcement today is therefore a welcome and significant step, but leaves vital questions unanswered.

“Primarily, why are so many licences exempt from this suspension? I am very concerned that the Government is not consistently applying the principle that there is a clear risk of UK licensed weapons being used in breach of international humanitarian law. The justification for continuing to licence F-35s is no justification at all. There is an ongoing and clear risk and we urge the Foreign Secretary to look again and suspend these licenses.

“If, as he says, the Foreign Secretary takes seriously the risk of UK licensed weapons being used in breach of international humanitarian law, he must go further and suspend all export licences.”

Continue ReadingEllie Chowns MP responds to David Lammy’s statement on UK arms export licences