Close X
Friday, December 27, 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

    US: Indian Techie Nagaraju Surepalli (31), Son Found Drown In Swimming Pool In Michigan

    US: Indian Techie Nagaraju Surepalli (31), Son Found Drown In Swimming Pool In Michigan
    A software engineer from Andhra Pradesh, who was working for Infosys, and his three-year-old son have drowned in a swimming pool in the US, according to news reports. Nagaraju Surepalli, 31, was from Guntur.

    US: Indian Techie Nagaraju Surepalli (31), Son Found Drown In Swimming Pool In Michigan

    Paris Or No Paris, India Committed To Climate Protection, Says PM Modi

    Hours after the US President walked out of the Paris climate accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated India’s commitment to reducing carbon emission and leaving an earth which is “beautiful and pure” for the future generations.

    Paris Or No Paris, India Committed To Climate Protection, Says PM Modi

    37 Killed In Philippines Casino Attack 'Claimed By Islamic State'

    37 Killed In Philippines Casino Attack 'Claimed By Islamic State'
    At least 37 persons were killed at a casino here in an attack which was claimed by the Islamic State even though the police continued to deny that the incident was terror-linked.

    37 Killed In Philippines Casino Attack 'Claimed By Islamic State'

    UK Government Begins Charging Visa Applicants For Email Enquiries

    UK Government Begins Charging Visa Applicants For Email Enquiries
    "The new contract will see a number of changes for customers. These changes help the government reduce costs and ensure those who benefit directly from the UK immigration system make an appropriate contribution," a government statement said.

    UK Government Begins Charging Visa Applicants For Email Enquiries

    Indian-Origin Leo Varadkar Wins: Ireland Set To Install First Openly Gay Prime Minister

    Indian-Origin Leo Varadkar Wins: Ireland Set To Install First Openly Gay Prime Minister
    The son of an Indian immigrant who came out as gay in 2015 will be the next Irish prime minister, after he was voted leader of the country’s main governing party.

    Indian-Origin Leo Varadkar Wins: Ireland Set To Install First Openly Gay Prime Minister

    Business Leaders Express Concern About Promises In B.C. NDP-Green Agreement

    Business Leaders Express Concern About Promises In B.C. NDP-Green Agreement
    CALGARY — Some business leaders in Canada expressed concerns Wednesday that the fallout from British Columbia's election is discouraging the private sector from investing in the province.

    Business Leaders Express Concern About Promises In B.C. NDP-Green Agreement