Menu
18/02/2010
Govt Probes Israeli Reps
Israeli ambassadors have met with Foreign Office ministers in Britain and Ireland after it was revealed alleged Israeli assassins duped authorities with fake UK and Irish passports.
The 11 people are believed to have executed Palestinian militant Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in January, having obtained forged European travel documents.
Israel has said there is no proof its secret service, Mossad, was involved.
Tories have called on the British Government to reveal when it became aware of the breach.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has ordered a probe into the forging and use of UK passports.
Police in Dubai have been investigating Mr Mabhouh's murder and suggested 11 "agents with European passports" killed the Hamas commander.
Israel's foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman refused to discuss security matters.
"There is no reason to think that it was the Israeli Mossad and not some other intelligence service or country up to some mischief," he told a state radio station.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague has said there are reports Gulf police attempted to contract British authorities over the matter at the end of last month.
"I would like to know when the government, when the prime minister, when the foreign secretary were informed about it and what action they decided to take then," he said.
Yesterday a UK Foreign Office spokesperson commented on the Emirati investigation and defrauding of British passports, stressing the need for a full investigation.
He said thiswill be lead by the Serious Organised Crime Agency in close cooperation with the Emirati authorities.
"The Government is involved in a number of strands of ongoing activity in relation to this specific case," said the official.
"First, we are providing support to the British Nationals who have been affected by this fraudulent activity. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv is contacting the affected British Nationals, and stands ready to provide them with the support that they need.
"Second, as the Prime Minister has said, we need to ensure a full investigation is carried out into the fraudulent use of these passports. The Serious Organised Crime Agency will lead this investigation, in close co-operation with the Emirati authorities."
He continued: "Third, given the links to Israel of a number the British Nationals affected, there will be a meeting between the FCO Permanent Under Secretary and the Israeli Ambassador."
(PR/BMcC)
The 11 people are believed to have executed Palestinian militant Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in January, having obtained forged European travel documents.
Israel has said there is no proof its secret service, Mossad, was involved.
Tories have called on the British Government to reveal when it became aware of the breach.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has ordered a probe into the forging and use of UK passports.
Police in Dubai have been investigating Mr Mabhouh's murder and suggested 11 "agents with European passports" killed the Hamas commander.
Israel's foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman refused to discuss security matters.
"There is no reason to think that it was the Israeli Mossad and not some other intelligence service or country up to some mischief," he told a state radio station.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague has said there are reports Gulf police attempted to contract British authorities over the matter at the end of last month.
"I would like to know when the government, when the prime minister, when the foreign secretary were informed about it and what action they decided to take then," he said.
Yesterday a UK Foreign Office spokesperson commented on the Emirati investigation and defrauding of British passports, stressing the need for a full investigation.
He said thiswill be lead by the Serious Organised Crime Agency in close cooperation with the Emirati authorities.
"The Government is involved in a number of strands of ongoing activity in relation to this specific case," said the official.
"First, we are providing support to the British Nationals who have been affected by this fraudulent activity. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv is contacting the affected British Nationals, and stands ready to provide them with the support that they need.
"Second, as the Prime Minister has said, we need to ensure a full investigation is carried out into the fraudulent use of these passports. The Serious Organised Crime Agency will lead this investigation, in close co-operation with the Emirati authorities."
He continued: "Third, given the links to Israel of a number the British Nationals affected, there will be a meeting between the FCO Permanent Under Secretary and the Israeli Ambassador."
(PR/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 June 2010
Ireland Expels Israeli Diplomat
The Dublin Government has expelled an Israeli diplomat over the forged Irish passports used in the assassination of a member of Hamas in Dubai in January.
Ireland Expels Israeli Diplomat
The Dublin Government has expelled an Israeli diplomat over the forged Irish passports used in the assassination of a member of Hamas in Dubai in January.
13 August 2003
BA suspends flights to Saudi Arabia over 'security concerns'
British Airways has announced that it is to suspend all flights to Saudi Arabia "due to heightened security concerns in the region". BA said that it would suspend flights until further notice follows discussions earlier today between the airline and the British government's Department for Transport.
BA suspends flights to Saudi Arabia over 'security concerns'
British Airways has announced that it is to suspend all flights to Saudi Arabia "due to heightened security concerns in the region". BA said that it would suspend flights until further notice follows discussions earlier today between the airline and the British government's Department for Transport.
21 November 2003
Turkey and Britain unite to fight terrorists
The UK and Turkish Foreign Ministers have united in their pledge not to give in to terrorists following the attacks on British interests in Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, backed by British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, said that the bombings would only reinforce global resolve to fight terrorism.
Turkey and Britain unite to fight terrorists
The UK and Turkish Foreign Ministers have united in their pledge not to give in to terrorists following the attacks on British interests in Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, backed by British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, said that the bombings would only reinforce global resolve to fight terrorism.
17 July 2006
First British citizens flown out of Beirut
Nearly 40 British citizens have been airlifted by helicopter from Beirut, as the evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon begins. The operation is part of plans to evacuate around 10,000 Britons from the country as the crisis between Israel and Lebanon continues to deepen.
First British citizens flown out of Beirut
Nearly 40 British citizens have been airlifted by helicopter from Beirut, as the evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon begins. The operation is part of plans to evacuate around 10,000 Britons from the country as the crisis between Israel and Lebanon continues to deepen.
14 March 2006
British office attacked in Gaza
Protestors have set fire to the British council building in Gaza, following an Israeli raid on a Palestinian prison. It has also been reported that several foreign nationals, including a Swiss Red Cross official, two French citizens and a Korean have been taken hostage.
British office attacked in Gaza
Protestors have set fire to the British council building in Gaza, following an Israeli raid on a Palestinian prison. It has also been reported that several foreign nationals, including a Swiss Red Cross official, two French citizens and a Korean have been taken hostage.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
