The Overseas Workplace has refused key info about workers going to the Iranian Embassy to mark the revolution regardless of 1000’s dying in massacres
The Tehran regime responded to protests with brutal massacres (Picture: AP)
Labour is accused of protecting up particulars about Authorities officers attending an Iranian embassy occasion to mark the anniversary of the 1979 revolution regardless of the regime slaughtering 1000’s of protesters. Shadow Overseas Secretary Dame Priti Patel is angered the Overseas Workplace has refused to reveal the rank and variety of officers who attended the occasion. She has additionally demanded solutions about whether or not the taxpayer-funded workers raised issues in regards to the “slaughter of civilians” on the embassy gathering on February 12.
The Authorities’s personal evaluation of the killings in Iran states: “The estimated variety of deaths, predominantly of protesters, numbered between roughly 12,000 and 20,000 by mid-January 2026.”
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Dame Priti advised the Sunday Categorical: “It’s outrageous that officers attended an occasion celebrating the Iranian revolution simply weeks after the regime slaughtered tens of 1000’s of courageous protesters. The least Labour may do is apologise and clarify how this was allowed to occur. As an alternative, they’ve stonewalled our questions and tried to maintain the info hidden. As common with Labour, they’re operating fearful of scrutiny. The Overseas Secretary ought to inform the general public why she is completely satisfied for her civil servants to go to events hosted by the Ayatollah’s regime – and reveal what different occasions they may have been to on her watch. Labour can’t be trusted to place Britain’s curiosity first.”
Dame Priti desires to know who authorised the civil servants’ attendance and whether or not they raised the problem of British nationals detained in Iran.
In her letter to Overseas Secretary Yvette Cooper, she mentioned: “Paying homage to a barbaric regime whereas it’s busy slaughtering its personal residents shouldn’t be within the typical diplomatic job description.”
The previous House Secretary and Worldwide Growth Secretary added that “nationwide day occasions” on the Russian embassy are boycotted and there was no have to attend this one.
She mentioned: “Clearly, there should be some penalties after such an appalling failure of judgement that has precipitated such embarrassment to our nation.”
Dame Priti Patel is Shadow Overseas Secretary and a former Tory management contender (Picture: Getty Photos)
Overseas minister Hamish Falconer responded to Dame Priti’s letter, stating: The UK’s strategy to diplomatic engagement is longstanding and clear. Sustaining diplomatic presence, together with attendance at official occasions, is a routine and well-established a part of how the [Foreign Office] protects UK pursuits and advances our goals abroad, even the place relations are tough or deeply strained. Such engagement doesn’t suggest endorsement of a bunch authorities’s actions or insurance policies. The UK continues to sentence within the strongest phrases Iran’s human rights abuses, its destabilising exercise within the area and its reckless behaviour that dangers additional escalation. Our diplomatic engagement permits us to press these messages immediately, elevate issues the place mandatory, and assist British nationals and UK pursuits, whereas remaining clear-eyed in regards to the nature of the Iranian regime.”
In reply, Dame Priti mentioned he had refused to reply her particular questions.
She wrote: “The attendance by FCDO officers at this occasion at a time when Iran is threatening our pursuits and within the speedy aftermath of them massacring 1000’s of residents campaigning for freedom is deeply embarrassing and undermines our nationwide pursuits. The general public deserve solutions and transparency not obfuscation.”
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