Written Evidence May. 01 2025
Inquiry: Transnational repression in the UKFound: and exiles, including through assassinations, illegal deportations, abductions, digital threats, Interpol
Written Evidence Apr. 24 2025
Inquiry: Transnational repression in the UKFound: disappearance, physical surveillance or stalking, passport cancellation or control over other documents, Interpol
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support the family of Tyler Kerry following his death in Turkey and (b) help ensure that their concerns about the investigation are addressed.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been providing consular support to Mr Kerry's family since 29 November. FCDO support for bereaved families includes providing guidance on bereavement support; repatriation; and media handling alongside information about relevant police investigations. Due to relevant data protection legislation, we are unable to discuss the details of the support we are providing to Mr Kerry's family or our engagement with Turkish authorities. It is for local authorities to conduct investigations relating to deaths in their jurisdiction. UK police can pass on concerns from affected families to overseas counterparts via Interpol. Our sincere condolences and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Turkish authorities on (a) access to evidence and (b) transparency in the investigation of Tyler Kerry’s death.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been providing consular support to Mr Kerry's family since 29 November. FCDO support for bereaved families includes providing guidance on bereavement support; repatriation; and media handling alongside information about relevant police investigations. Due to relevant data protection legislation, we are unable to discuss the details of the support we are providing to Mr Kerry's family or our engagement with Turkish authorities. It is for local authorities to conduct investigations relating to deaths in their jurisdiction. UK police can pass on concerns from affected families to overseas counterparts via Interpol. Our sincere condolences and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen cooperation with other nations to help tackle online fraud.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government recognises the serious threat posed by fraudsters targeting UK citizens from abroad. In October 2024, the UK played a pivotal role in helping pass the first ever UN Resolution on Fraud at the 12th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).
The resolution outlines a set of key recommendations that all signatories to the UNTOC (186 Member States) should implement to mitigate the threat of fraud to their citizens. These recommendations include codifying fraud as a serious crime, pursuing fraudsters, protecting victims, and collaborating closely with the private sector to design out fraud. By establishing these guidelines, the resolution sets a baseline of global standards for all member states to follow. This is a significant advancement in the global fight against fraud and underscores our shared commitment with international partners in combating this pernicious crime.
As part of the Government’s on-going work to tackle fraud internationally, we continue to work closely with our strategic partners including Five Eyes countries, Singapore, EU nations and INTERPOL, to target fraud and scams at source. Through these forums we are working with source countries (where transnational organised fraud and cybercrime groups operate) to build capacity in their law enforcement agencies, in order to tackle and disrupt overseas fraud before it reaches the UK.
Nov. 04 2024
Source Page: Prime Minister unveils game changing investment to tackle national security threat from people smuggling gangsFound: PM to outline major investments to smash criminal smuggling gangs at INTERPOL General Assembly in
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Clapham and Brixton Hill)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to increase the (a) role and (b) resources of (i) the National Wildlife Crime Unit and (ii) Border Force to support the (A) protection of wildlife, (B) communities and (C) ecological recovery.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
Wildlife crime can have devastating consequences for our natural environments and countryside communities. We are committed to reducing crime and anyone exploiting or deliberately harming British wildlife should face the full force of the law.
Recognising the notable successes of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), we are providing funding this financial year (2025/26) of £450,000, an increase on previous years, ensuring this specialist policing unit can continue to help police forces and other law enforcement agencies across the UK to tackle wildlife crime, including disrupting serious and organised crime. The NWCU also supports cases referred by Border Force to the National Crime Agency or to individual forces and is the UK policing focal point for EUROPOL and INTERPOL wildlife crime activity.
Border Force’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) officers are dedicated to preventing the importation and exportation of endangered animals and plants, as well as working in partnership with the legal trade and enforcement partners from across the UK to eradicate this ruthless and exploitative trade which has a devastating environmental impact.
Additionally, all new Border Force officers receive mandatory training on CITES to aid the detection of illicit goods linked to the illegal wildlife trade.
Jan. 30 2025
Source Page: Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Cyber annual review summaries 2023 to 2024Found: encouraging operational best practices in cyber-crime investigations, including through supporting Interpol
Jan. 30 2025
Source Page: Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Cyber annual review summaries 2023 to 2024Found: encouraging operational best practices in cyber-crime investigations, including through supporting Interpol
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to counter China’s attempts to use United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution 2758 to justify Taiwan’s exclusion from the UN, and whether they have considered hosting side meetings with Taiwanese representatives at UN conventions where Taiwan is denied participation, including the recent 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In line with the UK's longstanding position on Taiwan, we support Taiwanese participation at international organisations as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite or as an observer or guest where it is. As Minister West made clear in her speech to the House on 28 November, it is the UK's view that UNGA Resolution 2758 decided that only the government of the People's Republic of China would represent China at the UN. It did not make a determination over the status of Taiwan and should not preclude Taiwan's meaningful participation at international organisations. We always consider opportunities for engaging with Taiwan in the margins of international events.