The UK and Switzerland have today (Wednesday 10 July) signed an agreement committing to continue their work in tackling cross-border crime and terrorism after Brexit.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with his Swiss counterpart agreeing to build on an already strong relationship.

The MoU was co-signed by Swiss Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter during her visit to the UK, where she also met with Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay and Justice Secretary David Gauke.

The agreement sets out the two countries’ commitment to continue to work closely on areas such as counter-terrorism and financial crime, while also looking to increase information sharing and closer working between police forces.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Terror knows no borders, which is why we must cooperate closely with our strongest allies to tackle the worst forms of criminal activity after Brexit.

Switzerland is a key security partner for the UK and this agreement is a sign of our unconditional commitment to contributing to Europe’s security.

The UK and Switzerland already work closely on internal security, on a bilateral basis and through international channels.

The National Crime Agency and Swiss Federal Police fedpol work closely to tackle joint threats including cybercrime, child sexual exploitation, firearms and money laundering. Intelligence on live investigations is regularly shared between Swiss law enforcement and law enforcement partners around the UK.

The MoU signals a joint intention to reinforce and build upon this cooperation in future.

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay also met with Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter as the pair signed the transitional migration agreement, which would apply in a no-deal scenario with the EU. The Agreement would allow people from the UK and Switzerland to continue to apply for jobs and work in each other’s countries until December 2020 in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said:

While our priority remains leaving the EU with a deal, we have always been clear that we will do all we can to guarantee the rights of citizens in any scenario.

This agreement allowing British and Swiss expats to work in each other’s countries until the end of 2020 is the latest practical example of us making sure that happens.

In February 2019, both countries also signed an agreement aimed at safeguarding the existing rights of UK nationals living in Switzerland and Swiss nationals living in the UK at the time of our exit from the EU. The February agreement also regulates social security claims and the recognition of professional qualifications and these rights are valid for life.

The arrangements on mutual access to labour markets were previously announced in April but were formalised in London today.

Sir Kim Darroch has decided to resign as British Ambassador to the United States. In a letter to Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Kim wrote:

Since the leak of official documents from this Embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador. I want to put an end to that speculation. The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like.

Although my posting is not due to end until the end of this year, I believe in the current circumstances the responsible course is to allow the appointment of a new ambassador.

I am grateful to all those in the UK and the US, who have offered their support during this difficult few days. This has brought home to me the depth of friendship and close ties between our two countries. I have been deeply touched.

I am also grateful to all those with whom I have worked over the last four decades, particularly my team here in the US. The professionalism and integrity of the British civil service is the envy of the world. I will leave it full of confidence that its values remain in safe hands.

In response to Sir Kim’s letter, Sir Simon wrote:

On behalf of the Diplomatic Service, I accept your resignation with deep personal regret.

Over the last few difficult days you have behaved as you have always behaved over a long and distinguished career, with dignity, professionalism and class. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and whole of the public service have stood with you: you were the target of a malicious leak; you were simply doing your job. I understand your wish to relieve the pressure on your family and your colleagues at the Embassy; I admire the fact that you think more of others than yourself. You demonstrate the essence of the values of British public service.

I want to stress my deep appreciation for all you have done over the last four decades. In a series of demanding roles – including National Security Adviser and Permanent Representative to the European Union – you have loyally served the government of the day without fear or favour. We have been lucky to have you as a friend and colleague. You are the best of us.

Further information

The following products were seized as they were suspected to have been obtained unlawfully, or to be beyond their use-by date, or both.

1 x Johnsons Fipronil spot-on solution for cats

1 x Meloxydil 1.5mg oral suspension for dogs

1 x Metacam 1.5mg oral suspension for dogs

1 x Frontline spot on for dogs (Non UK authorised)

1 x pipette Frontline spot on for dogs

The possession and use of these products are offences under Regulation 7 (Classification, supply and possession of the product) and Regulation 8 (Administration of the product) of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President,

The United Kingdom thanks the High Commissioner for her update and welcomes the 26th report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, based on the work of the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

It is a sign of the utter disregard that Russia shows for the consistent reporting presented to this institution that we must repeat our concerns about its behaviour so regularly.

This is the sixth year of conflict and fighting continues in and around civilian areas of eastern Ukraine. Reports of arbitrary arrests and torture by Russian-backed armed formations are deeply troubling.

We deplore the house raids and arrests of 20 Crimean men in Simferopol in March. We are appalled by the continued reports of arbitrary detention, unfair trials and use of torture in illegally annexed Crimea, and we remain deeply concerned about the welfare of over 70 Ukrainian political prisoners currently held by Russia, particularly Pavlo Hryb and Edem Bekirov, who are in need of urgent medical treatment.

We condemn Russia for failing to comply with UN General Assembly resolution 73/263, and call on the Russian Federation to allow international monitoring organisations access to illegally annexed Crimea and immediately release all political prisoners.

Finally, we commend Ukraine for holding presidential elections in a peaceful and democratic way, while enduring constant Russian aggression.

Madam Deputy-High Commissioner,

What more can the international community do to highlight the increase in mistreatment, house raids and arrests of Crimean Tatars and ethnic minorities in illegally annexed Crimea?

Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

The recent Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Symposium in Brighton saw many Trading Standards Officers rewarded for their outstanding contributions to the service and the prestigious Touchstone Award was amongst these. The award was presented by Andrew Hinds of F. Hinds, former Chair of the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and a member of British Hallmarking Council (BHC).

The impressive sterling silver award was won by Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) (Cardiff, Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan) for their ongoing hallmarking enforcement projects. Their application comprised two parts: proactive visits to 21 jewellers; and thorough follow up to a single complaint. The first activity revealed four premises selling un-hallmarked goods and a fifth offering counterfeit goods as well as some un-hallmarked items. Fake Louis Vuitton and Chanel items with a potential retail value of £25,000 of were seized from one store.

Subsequently an exhaustive investigation following a complaint about an eBay seller led SRS to expose a trader selling mis-described, un-hallmarked jewellery, counterfeit jewellery and unsafe cosmetics. The business partners in the eBay seller are currently awaiting sentencing for numerous offences amounting to twelve charges each.

The range of activity and offences uncovered in Touchstone Award applications demonstrates that a hallmarking offence is frequently the tip of the iceberg. Birmingham Trading Standards’ application for their intensive 2 year “Operation Egyptian” concerning fake gold bangles was felt to be such a significant case that the British Hallmarking Council honoured the team led by Sajeela Naseer, Gary Singh and Mick Davies with a Special Award during the “Institute Celebrates Success” session earlier in the day.

Unscrupulous online traders competing with legitimate sellers and “bricks and mortar” retailers have created additional significant new problems for enforcement, particularly as Local Authorities are cutting budgets and reducing resources drastically. The collaboration between the NAJ, Assay Offices, the BHC and Trading Standards is crucial to the future of the legitimate jewellery industry.

Presenting the award, Andrew Hinds told Trading Standards officers:

The jewellery industry represents 1% of the UK economy and employs 60,000 people, hence our desire to see it protected. Global trading via the internet has increased the vulnerability of consumers, and this is especially true in jewellery due to misleading and fraudulent descriptions. This makes your enforcement role more important than ever before.

We recognise the challenges facing your service. We have made our concerns known to Government and will continue to do so.

Applications for the 2020 Touchstone Award open in January 2020 when full details will be published on the British Hallmarking Council website.

For more information or additional comment, please contact Sue Green, British Hallmarking Council Secretariat, at britishhallmarkingcouncilsec@gmail.com.

Photo credit: Simon Callaghan.