The scenes emerging from Sudan have shocked the world in recent days.
A horrific civil war is causing untold bloodshed and innocent people are among those caught in the crossfire. For that reason, the UK Government must move now to help British citizens caught up in the conflict.
As many as 4000 British nationals remain stranded across the country. The Record reports today how one Scots mum trapped in the country with her four children has begged the UK Government to rescue them as fighting rages on.
Teacher Jennifer McLellan has been living in Sudan for about 15 years after meeting her Sudanese husband when he was studying in Glasgow. But the family’s lives were turned upside down when a heavy bombardment began in the capital in recent days.
Like other Britons with no way of escape, Jennifer and her children are now being warned to stay at home. They are now considering making a perilous journey to the Egyptian border to find safety.
It’s imperative the Government harnesses its resources and puts together a rescue plan. If that requires troops on the ground to guarantee the safety of innocent families like Jennifer’s, that is what must be done.
It can’t be right that diplomats are offered a safe route out of Sudan while others are left to fend for themselves. Jennifer’s desperate family and their local MP Brendan O’Hara are calling on the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to get a grip on the situation.
They are absolutely right to do so and we back their demand that every effort is made to help Jennifer and other UK families get to safety.
Out of order
MAIRI McAllan is right to brand the UK Government’s transparent efforts to hobble Scottish diplomacy overseas as “unacceptable”. The latest Tory diktat that UK officials should sit in on any meetings between Holyrood ministers and foreign dignitaries is as heavy-handed as it is short-sighted.
McAllan, the new Net Zero Secretary, pointed out Scotland played a small but – many argue – key role in delivering a historic “loss and damage” fund at COP27 for countries worst-hit by climate change. Indeed, Scotland has enjoyed a reputation in the international arena as a climate leader in recent years.
Some may look at the SNP Government’s record on meeting their green targets at home and scoff at that. But only the churlish would deny that Scotland has made worthwhile contributions on the world stage.
Instead of interfering in Scottish affairs, perhaps Rishi Sunak’s Government should finally start tackling the climate crisis we all face.
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