Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Acknowledged
UK nationals have been let down by the information shared by Ministers— actions which were...
Recommendation
UK nationals have been let down by the information shared by Ministers— actions which were counterproductive and may have contributed to less favourable conditions for an earlier release. Coherence and accuracy are vital not only in fairness to the families involved, but also to send the message to countries that may consider using detainees as leverage, that the UK will not tolerate this form of statecraft involving any of its nationals. Additionally, care should be taken to ensure that the British nationality of the detainee be stressed in communications. We recommend that a publicity plan be created with families from the early stages and is adjusted in collaboration with them as the case progresses. (Paragraph 62) Consular support
Government Response Summary
The Government accepts the fundamental importance of early identification and escalation of complex detentions, and states that is why the FCDO has adopted the task force approach recommended in the Macgregor review to harness the widest possible range of knowledge, experience, and expertise.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
22. The Government accepts the fundamental importance of early identification and escalation of complex detentions, including arbitrary detention for diplomatic leverage. That is why the FCDO has adopted the task force approach recommended in the Macgregor review to harness the widest possible range of knowledge, experience, and expertise, and why we work with a range of external partners and specialist support organisations. Senior diplomatic staff based overseas and in geographic directorates in the FCDO participate in task force meetings in a wide range of cases to help ensure case strategies are tailored to the specific circumstances and context, and that the fullest possible range of levers and options are identified.