Diplomatic relations between Britain and the UAE

[OntarioBlue]

I was just watching the BBC news and saw that a British subject, Matthew Hedges, has been jailed for life in The UAE for spying. The British government is said to be furious and the Foreign Secretary has said there will be repurcussions.

According to the news the trial was a sham, lasting less than five minutes. Mr Hedges was forced to sign a confession in Arabic and whilst awaiting trial was denied access to a lawyer and consular services.

Whilst there is no direct connection to City here, obviously Sheikh Mansour is close to the UAE Government and there must be a concern that any damage to UK/UAE relations will impact us.

Hopefully diplomatic actions will lead to the early release of Mr Hedges before any lasting damage is done.

 

[moomba]

Of course he could have actually been spying.

 

[OntarioBlue]

Of course he could have actually been spying.

Yes it is possible, but why would the UK Government send a PhD student to spy on the UAE ?

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Of course he could have actually been spying.

This is what I thought! The minute a spy is caught red handed or with trousers down by ankles the usual diplomatic stance to to begin lying through yer dentures! But what would they be spying on? Could it be owt to do with City? Is this bugger the source of those Teutonic Der Spiegel leaks? Creeping round the Good Sheikh's lands, earhole to keyhole, half-hearing Kool Hand Khaldoon mentioning those bastards at Uefa, and BINGO! Column inches for the gutter press!

 

[The perfect fumble]

Yes it is possible, but why would the UK Government send a PhD student to spy on the UAE ?

Maybe Daniel Craig was otherwise engaged.

 

[lefty goldblatt]

That pesky Raheem Sterling will be involved in this, you mark the Daily Mail's words

 

[moomba]

Yes it is possible, but why would the UK Government send a PhD student to spy on the UAE ?

Wouldn't have a clue, but it's not uncommon for people over here to write off foreign verdicts as unjust, because it involves "one of our lads". Heard a lot of that during the Michael Shields trial.

Just as we want them to present all the evidence to prove that he did something wrong, we shouldnt just presume that he didn't.

 

[Djibrilshairdo]

Must have strayed from his all-inclusive gig with pina colada in hand. Could have been worse mind, see American nob head who thought singing a few hymns to the Andamans residents was a good idea.

 

[Fred_Quimby]

This guy went over there to study their internal and external security!! No wonder he got clobbered.

 

[lefty goldblatt]

Don't poke the bear, because he might rip your head off.

In this case, the bear has.

Silly lad.