Menu
08/06/2012
Ministers Will Boycott England Games In Ukraine
In protest at Ukraine’s human rights record UK government ministers will boycott England's group games in the European football championships.
The UK is particularly concerned at the "selective justice" meted out to jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
In response Ukraine's ambassador to the UK said "sport and politics do not mix" and concerns must be raised in other ways.
Ms Tymoshenko played a key role in the Orange Revolution in 2004 and says her imprisonment, for alleged corruption, is an act of political revenge by Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych.
The authorities have rejected Ms Tymoshenko's allegations. She was jailed for seven years in October, for abuse of power during her time as prime minister.
Asked about the boycott, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Ukraine had "serious problems" and the UK government did not want its backing for the England team to be interpreted as "giving political support to some things which have been happening in Ukraine which we don't agree with".
Other EU nations have also threatened a boycott of the tournament being jointly hosted with Poland.
(H)
The UK is particularly concerned at the "selective justice" meted out to jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
In response Ukraine's ambassador to the UK said "sport and politics do not mix" and concerns must be raised in other ways.
Ms Tymoshenko played a key role in the Orange Revolution in 2004 and says her imprisonment, for alleged corruption, is an act of political revenge by Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych.
The authorities have rejected Ms Tymoshenko's allegations. She was jailed for seven years in October, for abuse of power during her time as prime minister.
Asked about the boycott, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Ukraine had "serious problems" and the UK government did not want its backing for the England team to be interpreted as "giving political support to some things which have been happening in Ukraine which we don't agree with".
Other EU nations have also threatened a boycott of the tournament being jointly hosted with Poland.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 October 2014
British Student Confirmed Among MH17 Victims
The family of a student from Bristol have confirmed that he was among the victims of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, which was shot down over northern Ukraine in July.
British Student Confirmed Among MH17 Victims
The family of a student from Bristol have confirmed that he was among the victims of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, which was shot down over northern Ukraine in July.
29 July 2014
PM To Meet Families Of MH17 Victims
The families of British victims of the shot down Malaysian Airlines MH17 plane are to meet with the Prime Minister, who is expected to discuss international response to the incident. The plane is believed to have been shot down by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine on 17 July, killing all 298 people onboard, including 10 Britons.
PM To Meet Families Of MH17 Victims
The families of British victims of the shot down Malaysian Airlines MH17 plane are to meet with the Prime Minister, who is expected to discuss international response to the incident. The plane is believed to have been shot down by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine on 17 July, killing all 298 people onboard, including 10 Britons.
17 June 2003
Expansion of 'safe countries' reduces asylum appeal rights
Asylum applicants from seven more countries will have no right of appeal in the UK if their claims are refused and certified as 'clearly unfounded', the Home Office announced today. As part of the department's drive to cut abuse of the asylum system, the seven countries are being added to the list of so-called 'safe countries'.
Expansion of 'safe countries' reduces asylum appeal rights
Asylum applicants from seven more countries will have no right of appeal in the UK if their claims are refused and certified as 'clearly unfounded', the Home Office announced today. As part of the department's drive to cut abuse of the asylum system, the seven countries are being added to the list of so-called 'safe countries'.
21 February 2005
UK contributes cash to NATO demilitarisation project in Ukraine
The UK is to contribute £400,000 to a NATO project to help authorities in the Ukraine to destroy stockpiles of small arms and ammunition, much of it left over from the Soviet era.
UK contributes cash to NATO demilitarisation project in Ukraine
The UK is to contribute £400,000 to a NATO project to help authorities in the Ukraine to destroy stockpiles of small arms and ammunition, much of it left over from the Soviet era.
22 May 2014
British Journalist Released From Ukraine
British journalist Graham Philips has been freed from Ukraine after being detained in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine on Tuesday. The 35-year-old, who is working for the TV station Russia Today, tweeted his followers to say he had been released and was not being charged or deported.
British Journalist Released From Ukraine
British journalist Graham Philips has been freed from Ukraine after being detained in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine on Tuesday. The 35-year-old, who is working for the TV station Russia Today, tweeted his followers to say he had been released and was not being charged or deported.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
