21 h. ago David Lammy faces possible legal action over Foreign Office secondments

Campaigners say placing staff from Shell and BAE Systems in ministries creates potential for improper influenceDavid Lammy is facing possible legal action over a plan to invite staff from the oil firm Shell and the defence firm BAE Systems to work inside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.A pre-action letter seen by the Guardian warns the foreign secretary that the scheme leaves the government open to allegations of a conflict of interest and creates the potential for “improper influence”.An alleged lack of transparency as to how the proposed scheme will operate.The potential for improper influence by representatives of Shell and BAE Systems on UK government practices, including in relation to foreign policy.The potential for conflicts of interest. Continue reading...

Politics

65 h. ago Path to peace cannot not be decided without Ukraine, says Europe

Ukrainian and European partners to join UK foreign secretary and US vice-president at Chevening for talksThe UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, and the US vice-president, JD Vance, held a meeting with Ukrainian and European partners in Britain on Saturday to discuss the drive for peace in Ukraine.The summit comes before a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin set for next Friday in Alaska. In a comment that that was met with pushback from Kyiv, the US president said that an end to the war must involve “some swapping of territories”. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stressed early on Saturday that “Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers”. Continue reading...

Politics

65 h. ago Path to peace cannot be decided without Ukraine, says Europe

Ukrainian and European partners to join UK foreign secretary and US vice-president at Chevening for talksThe UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, and the US vice-president, JD Vance, held a meeting with Ukrainian and European partners in Britain on Saturday to discuss the drive for peace in Ukraine.The summit comes before a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin set for next Friday in Alaska. In a comment that that was met with pushback from Kyiv, the US president said that an end to the war must involve “some swapping of territories”. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stressed early on Saturday that “Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers”. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Europe rallies behind Ukraine after defiant Zelensky rejects any peace plan that gives up land to Russia

Labour foreign secretary David Lammy and US Vice President JD Vance host a meeting of national security advisers on Saturday, as Donald Trump prepares to meet Vladimir Putin next week

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer vows ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine after defiant Zelensky rules out giving up land to Russia

Labour foreign secretary David Lammy and US Vice President JD Vance will host meeting of national security advisers on Saturday, as Trump prepares to meet Putin next week

Politics

3 d. ago Six killed and dozens wounded by Israeli army while collecting aid, says Gaza civil defence – Middle East crisis live

Israeli troops reported to have targeted civilians assembling near an aid point in central GazaThe US and UK have “disagreements” on Gaza including over whether to recognise a Palestinian state, JD Vance has suggested as he arrived in England for his summer holiday.The US vice-president was speaking before a bilateral meeting with David Lammy, the UK foreign secretary, at his 17th-century grace-and-favour country house, Chevening. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago UK should not follow down Biden’s ‘dark path’ on free speech, says Vance

The US vice president was speaking as part of a meeting with UK Foreign Minister David Lammy.

Politics

4 d. ago Make America Bait Again! JD Vance shows off fishing skills on visit to David Lammy's country retreat (and boasts he caught more)

David Lammy and US vice-president JD Vance showed off their fishing skills at the Chevening country retreat.

Events

4 d. ago Make America Bait Again! JD Vance shows off his fishing skills as he meets David Lammy at Foreign Secretary's country retreat

David Lammy and US vice-president JD Vance showed off their fishing skills at the Foreign Secretary's Chevening country retreat.

Events

4 d. ago JD Vance and David Lammy enjoy chummy fishing trip as Trump's VP starts UK holiday

Gone Fishin! Donald Trump's Vice President JD Vance has been snapped enjoying a day of angling with Foreign Secretary David Lammy

Politics

4 d. ago David Lammy to meet JD Vance TODAY amid tensions over UK vow to recognise Palestinian state

Foreign Secretary David Lammy is hosting the US vice-president at his country retreat of Chevening.

Events

4 d. ago Trump orders increased federal law enforcement in Washington DC to combat crime

Move comes amid president’s suggestions that his administration could fully take over running the cityUS vice-president JD Vance kicks off a trip in the United Kingdom with a meeting with British foreign secretary David Lammy on Friday that will bring renewed scrutiny of Vance’s sharp criticism of Britain and its governing Labour party.Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three young children are expected to land in London at the start of a trip that includes staying with Lammy at Chevening, the country residence used by the foreign minister, Reuters reported.Vice-president JD Vance kicks off a trip in the United Kingdom with a meeting with British foreign secretary David Lammy on Friday that will bring renewed scrutiny of Vance’s sharp criticism of Britain and its governing Labour party. Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three young children are expected to land in London at the start of a trip that includes staying with Lammy at Chevening, the country residence used by the foreign mini...

Events

6 d. ago US vice president JD Vance to stay with David Lammy as he holidays in Britain

Mr Vance and his family will begin their summer holiday this Friday with a stay at Chevening, the Foreign Secretary’s Grade I-listed mansion in Kent.

Politics

1 week ago ‘The world is on edge’: five tumultuous weeks with David Lammy, foreign secretary at a time of crisis

His first 12 months at the Foreign Office have been hit by a string of high-stakes international flashpoints, from the unfolding horror in Gaza to regime change in Syria and Trump’s humiliation of Zelenskyy – but he’s not panicking“Remind me: why weren’t we able to meet in Washington DC?” David Lammy asks, spoon of Pret chicken laksa suspended in front of his mouth. It’s lunchtime in the foreign secretary’s office, a vast room of gilt edges, damask drapery and waxed oak. “Because Israel bombed Iran, and your trip was cancelled,” I say. “Oh, yes.” He scrapes the bottom of the pot, perhaps remembering the snap Cobra session on 13 June, the world holding its breath, the shared feeling we were on the brink of global war. It’s three weeks on and the heat of imminent conflict has lessened, if not the actual temperature, shining in the faces of staff. Lammy apologises for squeezing me into his lunch break. His schedule, running down a whiteboard in the ante office, is precision-timed. Afte...

Events

3 w. ago Britain will not be intimidated by Moscow spies, writes Foreign Secretary DAVID LAMMY as he sanctions 21 Russian operatives

Murky Moscow spy plots - these make for a great thriller. But the reality is much more serious. Russian intelligence has long posed a threat to Britain.

Politics

3 w. ago Families of UK prisoners abroad urge ministers to keep promises to help

David Lammy said he hopes to appoint special envoy for British nationals detained overseasFamilies and lawyers of prominent British prisoners detained abroad have called for the government to deliver on promises to help secure their release and appoint a special envoy.Last week, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, said he hoped to appoint a special envoy for British nationals arbitrarily detained overseas by the end of the year, after vowing to do so in November 2024 and as part of a Labour manifesto pledge. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Families of UK prisoners detained abroad urge ministers to keep promises of help

David Lammy said he hopes to appoint special envoy for British nationals detained overseasFamilies and lawyers of prominent British prisoners detained abroad have called for the government to deliver on promises to help secure their release and appoint a special envoy.Last week, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, said he hoped to appoint a special envoy for British nationals arbitrarily detained overseas by the end of the year, after vowing to do so in November 2024 and as part of a Labour manifesto pledge. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Lammy hints at sanctions for Israeli minister over Gaza camp plans

Israel Katz has reportedly put forward plans to move 600,000 Palestinians to a so-called ‘humanitarian city’ in Rafah.

Politics