Close X
Sunday, December 22, 2024
ADVT 
International

UK Minister Priti Patel Apologises For Undisclosed Meetings On Israel Holiday

Darpan News Desk IANS, 07 Nov, 2017 12:13 PM
    Britain’s senior-most Indian-origin minister Priti Patel has issued a formal apology for holding undisclosed meetings, including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while holidaying in the Jewish country.
     
     
    The secretary of state for international development admitted meeting Netanyahu among other senior figures without “following the usual procedures” but claimed it was simply the result of “enthusiasm” to engage.
     
     
    “This summer I travelled to Israel, on a family holiday paid for myself. While away I had the opportunity to meet a number of people and organisations. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was aware of my visit while it was under way,” she said in a statement.
     
     
    “In hindsight, I can see how my enthusiasm to engage in this way could be misread, and how meetings were set up and reported in a way which did not accord with the usual procedures. I am sorry for this and I apologise for it,” she noted.
     
     
    Ministers are required to tell the Foreign Office when they are conducting official business overseas, but a BBC report had claimed last week that British diplomats in Israel were not informed about these meetings.
     
     
    Downing Street had dismissed it as a “private holiday” with nothing to investigate, but Prime Minister Theresa May had a follow-up meeting with the minister over the issue.
     
     
    “The prime minister welcomes the secretary of state’s clarification about her trip to Israel and has accepted her apology for her handling of the matter. The prime minister met the secretary of state this morning to remind her of the obligations which exist under the ministerial code,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
     
     
    Opposition parties had called for Patel to resign if it emerges that she breached the ministerial code of conduct.
     
     
    The BBC report had revealed that Patel had been accompanied by pro-Israeli Conservative party lobbyist Lord Polak during several meetings on the 13-day visit in August.
     
     
    Among her 12 meetings, now made public, included an interaction with Yair Lapid, the leader of one of Israel’s main political parties (Yesh Atid), and visits to charity organisations.
     
     
    The senior Conservative MP’s meeting with the Israeli PM, including discussions on her “family background” and “her experience growing up in an area of the UK with a thriving Jewish community”.
     
     
    The two leaders also discussed “the Israeli domestic political scene” as well as his “forthcoming visit to the UK” which took place last week.
     
     
    Patel also discussed “prospects for closer collaboration between Israel and the UK on development and humanitarian issues”.
     
     
    “The FCO (Foreign Office) are clear that UK interests were not damaged or affected by the meetings on this visit,” the Department for International Development (DfID) said.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Indian-Born US Federal Judge Amit Mehta Orders New Searches For Hillary Clinton's Benghazi Emails

    Indian-Born US Federal Judge Amit Mehta Orders New Searches For Hillary Clinton's Benghazi Emails
    An Indian-born federal judge in the US has ordered the State Department to search more emails which Hillary Clinton sent or received about 2012 Benghazi attack.

    Indian-Born US Federal Judge Amit Mehta Orders New Searches For Hillary Clinton's Benghazi Emails

    North Korea Posing 'Grave Threat' To World: Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland

    North Korea Posing 'Grave Threat' To World: Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland
    EDMONTON — Canada's foreign minister says North Korea's nuclear program poses a "grave threat" to the security of the world.

    North Korea Posing 'Grave Threat' To World: Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland

    Indian Nun Sister Vanaja Jasphine Rescues Cameroonian Sex Slaves From Middle East

    Indian Nun Sister Vanaja Jasphine Rescues Cameroonian Sex Slaves From Middle East
    A celebrated Indian nun who rescues Cameroonian women from slavery in the Middle East has called for greater support for victims to help them recover from the horrors of being drugged, raped and abused.

    Indian Nun Sister Vanaja Jasphine Rescues Cameroonian Sex Slaves From Middle East

    Pakistan's 'Mother Teresa' Dr Ruth Pfau Dies

    Pakistan's 'Mother Teresa' Dr Ruth Pfau Dies
    Dr Ruth Pfau, a German doctor popularly known as Pakistan’s ‘Mother Teresa’ for dedicating her life to eradicate leprosy in the country, died on Thursday at a private hospital in Karachi. She was 87.

    Pakistan's 'Mother Teresa' Dr Ruth Pfau Dies

    Indian Origin Brexit Challenger Gina Miller Fears Acid Attack In UK

    Indian Origin Brexit Challenger Gina Miller Fears Acid Attack In UK
    Gina Miller, the Indian origin campaigner who won a Brexit legal challenge against the UK government, has said she has been receiving threats of acid attacks and is afraid to leave her home.

    Indian Origin Brexit Challenger Gina Miller Fears Acid Attack In UK

    Alberta Woman Sought For Alleged Abduction Of Young Son Arrested In Belize

    Alberta Woman Sought For Alleged Abduction Of Young Son Arrested In Belize
    LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Lethbridge police say an Alberta woman sought in the alleged abduction of her young son has been arrested in Belize.

    Alberta Woman Sought For Alleged Abduction Of Young Son Arrested In Belize