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20/04/2012
Labour Calls For Boycott Of Bahrain Grand Prix
Labour’s Yvette Cooper has called for British Formula One drivers, including Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, should boycott the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The shadow home secretary told the BBC's Question Time that the race, which begins today, "shouldn't go ahead".
The comments come as Amnesty International has warned Bahrain faces a "human rights crisis" as the Gulf kingdom tries to suppress anti-government protests.
However, Conservative Party chair Baroness Warsi said the decision about whether the Grand Prix should go ahead rested with Formula One officials.
"The government can't stop British drivers from taking part in a grand prix," she said, "that has got to be their decision."
But Labour's Yvette Cooper said: "Although it should be a matter for the sport to decide - I don't think the government should be taking the final decision - I do think government ministers can express an opinion.
Protests against the government have been going on for more than a year. This week Bahraini security forces fired stun grenades at protesters in the capital Manama, 25 miles away from the race circuit.
Last year's race was cancelled after 35 people were killed during demonstrations.
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The shadow home secretary told the BBC's Question Time that the race, which begins today, "shouldn't go ahead".
The comments come as Amnesty International has warned Bahrain faces a "human rights crisis" as the Gulf kingdom tries to suppress anti-government protests.
However, Conservative Party chair Baroness Warsi said the decision about whether the Grand Prix should go ahead rested with Formula One officials.
"The government can't stop British drivers from taking part in a grand prix," she said, "that has got to be their decision."
But Labour's Yvette Cooper said: "Although it should be a matter for the sport to decide - I don't think the government should be taking the final decision - I do think government ministers can express an opinion.
Protests against the government have been going on for more than a year. This week Bahraini security forces fired stun grenades at protesters in the capital Manama, 25 miles away from the race circuit.
Last year's race was cancelled after 35 people were killed during demonstrations.
(H)
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