Johnson 'Was Advised Not To Link Iran Debt With Detainees
The Guardian|May 18, 2022
Boris Johnson appeared to acc advice while he was foreign secretary that payment of the £400m debt to Iran must not be linked to the release of the British-Iranian dual nationals, according to evidence given to MPs by his former Middle East minister.
Patrick Wintour
Johnson 'Was Advised Not To Link Iran Debt With Detainees

Alistair Burt also told the foreign affairs select committee that he wrote to Johnson in May 2018 urging him to ask the then prime minister, Theresa May, to overrule objections to payment of the debt being made by the Ministry of Defence. Burt said he asked Johnson to break the logjam following conversations with the then defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, about the MOD's objections.

Burt had been given to understand that the department would accept a ruling from Number 10.

This story is from the May 18, 2022 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 18, 2022 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView All
Liverpool comeback falls short despite early Salah penalty
The Guardian

Liverpool comeback falls short despite early Salah penalty

Jürgen Klopp has taken Liverpool to four European finals, one Champions League trophy and places that players and fans alike may never have imagined possible but a journey that pulsated and punished is over. There will be no fairytale ending in Dublin after one more feat of escapology proved beyond Klopp's team against Atalanta.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 19, 2024
City's system failure offers glimmer of hope to rivals
The Guardian

City's system failure offers glimmer of hope to rivals

Real Madrid's collision with Pep Guardiola's grooved machine represented a gripping clash of ideologies

time-read
5 mins  |
April 19, 2024
'We have a superior product': Dukes maker asks Key to discuss ball
The Guardian

'We have a superior product': Dukes maker asks Key to discuss ball

The maker of Dukes balls has entered the debate on the trial use of the Kookaburra ball in county cricket and invited Rob Key, the England and Wales Cricket Board's managing director of men's cricket, to talk to him about the type of ball he wants to see.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 19, 2024
'I'm not swayed': Hamilton bats away criticism of Ferrari move
The Guardian

'I'm not swayed': Hamilton bats away criticism of Ferrari move

Lewis Hamilton has insisted his decision to join Ferrari in 2025 does not need any vindication, as he bemoaned the continued discussion over whether it is the right choice.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 19, 2024
England's dreaming - If Dier can leave and kick on, how can the Premier League be the world's best?
The Guardian

England's dreaming - If Dier can leave and kick on, how can the Premier League be the world's best?

It’s that Mitchell and Webb sketch reprised. Premier League fans looking around nervously. Are we … the farmers? (credit to Charlie on X who asked me this question).

time-read
4 mins  |
April 19, 2024
Customers failed by poor 'country of origin' labels, says Which?
The Guardian

Customers failed by poor 'country of origin' labels, says Which?

\"Misleading\" and \"inconsistent\" labels make it hard for shoppers to know where their food comes from, the consumer organisation Which? has said. It found supermarket chains were selling products with \"meaningless\" statements on their packaging.

time-read
1 min  |
April 19, 2024
Russia's war in Ukraine a barrier to global growth, says IMF boss
The Guardian

Russia's war in Ukraine a barrier to global growth, says IMF boss

Russia's war with Ukraine is stoking geopolitical tensions and damaging the recovery prospects of the global economy, the head of the International Monetary Fund warned yesterday.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 19, 2024
Victims of 1981 Dublin fire were unlawfully killed, inquest finds
The Guardian

Victims of 1981 Dublin fire were unlawfully killed, inquest finds

Forty-eight young people were unlawfully killed after an electrical fault started an inferno at the Stardust nightclub in Dublin in 1981, an inquest jury has found.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 19, 2024
Husband of influencer accused of tax evasion joins Russian military to secure her release
The Guardian

Husband of influencer accused of tax evasion joins Russian military to secure her release

When his wife, a prominent Russian Instagram influencer, was threatened with years of imprisonment over tax evasion charges, Alexei Blinovsky opted for what seemed the most viable means to secure her freedom in Russia today: he joined Vladimir Putin's military campaign in Ukraine.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 19, 2024
India's 'most predictable' election begins with Modi accused of undermining rivals
The Guardian

India's 'most predictable' election begins with Modi accused of undermining rivals

Voting has begun in India's general election, as Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata party looks to increase its parliamentary majority amid allegations that the country's democracy has been undermined since it came to power 10 years ago.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 19, 2024