Saturday, January 28, 2017

'WITCH-HUNT': Why do IRA terrorists walk free but Northern Ireland vets face PROSECUTION?

TERRORISTS are freely walking the streets while the Government shamefully launches “a witch hunt” against heroic Northern Ireland war veterans, according to 1,500 people who marched on Downing Street today.

The Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group, joined by Mike Hookem MEP, took to the streets to protest against the launching of criminal investigations into historic alleged crimes committed by soldiers on the front line.
One veteran, 75-year-old Dennis Hutchings, was woken up by police in December, who charged him with the attempted murder of an IRA suspect in 1974 while he was serving Queen and country in Armagh.
The Good Friday Agreement, signed off by Tony Blair, allowed 500 convicted terrorists linked to the IRA to walk free, something seen as “a grave injustice” by ex-forces personnel who are now watching their own colleagues face prosecution.
Veterans claim the vast majority of post-conflict charges relating to Northern Ireland are being made against British soldiers, not former IRA members who already have terrorism offences to their name.
In an emotional speech delivered in front of the Houses of Parliament, Alan Barry, event organiser for Justice for Northern Ireland Alan Barry said: “These actions by the British Government are a betrayal of all that we hold dear.
“No British soldier ever went on patrol with the intention of committing a crime, no British soldier ever placed a bomb in a pub full of innocents and no British soldier ever placed a bomb underneath a police vehicle.
“Prime Minister, please do not allow this appalling situation to continue.”
Northern Ireland military veterans Good FridayUKIP
Northern Ireland veterans marching to Downing Street in protest at historic prosecutions
Northern Ireland military veterans Good FridayUKIP
The 1,500 veterans protesting outside Downing Street
Mike Hookem MEP, Ukip’s spokesman on veterans’ affairs, blasted: “War is a dirty, brutal business, no matter the legal definition you give it, and over nearly 40 years, the troubles in Northern Ireland claimed more than 3,500 lives.
“However, of the combatants, for every paramilitary killed two members of the armed forces and security services lost their lives.
“And while I mourn the members of our brave forces, I remain unapologetic for the deaths of terrorists, who had criminally taken up arms to force a change the majority in Northern Ireland did not want!
“As far as I’m concerned, those who live by the sword, often die by the sword, and that is why it is so disgusting that veterans now face prosecution. 
Northern Ireland military veterans Good FridayUKIP
Mike Hookem MEP gave a rousing speech in support of British veterans
“But rather than being thanked, veterans today live in fear of a knock at the door to be asked questions about the events of a lifetime ago.
“And the odds of being targeted in this post-conflict 'witch-hunt' seem to be growing.”
A petition was handed in at Downing Street demanding the end of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and the British Government stop criminal proceedings against military men and women for actions undertaken during the Northern Ireland conflict.
Northern Ireland military veterans Good FridayUKIP
Dennis Hutchings is facing a historic charge of attempted murder dating back to 1975
Northern Ireland military veterans Good FridayUKIP
Veterans complain that IRA terrorists have been let free but soldiers face trial
Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP MP for Lagan Valley, served in the military and witness two of his brothers being killed by the Provisional IRA.
He told Express.co.uk: “I served in the armed forces and I’m appalled some veterans in their 70s are being arrested and charged with killings in NI during the troubles. This is despite the fact that over 90 per cent of the deaths were carried out by terrorist paramilitaries - why is nobody going after them?
"We need to bring this nonsense to an end.”
Danny Kinahan MP Ulster Unionist Party for South Antrim and a fellow veteran, said: “I want to see a great wave of support for our veterans. We’ve got one angle in Northern Ireland getting away with everything but British soldiers being dragged back to the courts. It’s totally wrong.”
Mr Hutchings, who is still facing a historic charge of attempted murder, said: “This is abuse against soldiers who fought in Northern Ireland. It’s not just about me, there are hundreds of ex-soldiers being investigated. That’s fine, but make sure they investigate the terrorists as well.”
Express.co.uk contacted Downing Street for comment about today’s march and a spokesman said: “This Government salutes the remarkable contribution of our Armed Forces and the RUC to securing the peace in Northern Ireland. We are very conscious of the huge debt we owe them.
"The government is wholly committed to finding a lawful, fair, balanced and proportionate way forward for legacy issues in Northern Ireland. We are also very mindful of the fact that some 90 per cent of all deaths in the troubles were caused by terrorists.
"Without new bodies to address the legacy of the past, murders by terrorists won’t be investigated any time soon and victims, including families of brave serviceman killed, are less likely to see justice.”


 http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/760092/IRA-Northern-Ireland-Theresa-May-Downing-Street-Good-Friday-Agreement-Ukip

NWN: Many more pics and detail on the link.

Breaking news : Northern Ireland veterans protest outside Parliament this afternoon. 28th.January 2017.

Veterans community getting active against the 'witch-hunts' against Armed Forces veterans . Whilst IRA murderers are given 'pardons', and allowed to run the Northern Ireland Offices including the PSNI through IRA mouthpiece Barra McGrory.


Friday, January 27, 2017

Mahmood Ahmed charged with two counts of sexual activity and one count of sexually assaulting a child

Date published: 26 January 2017

Mahmood Ahmed (04/04/1967), of Ashia Close, Rochdale, has been charged with two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexually assaulting a child.

He was remanded in custody and appeared before Bury and Rochdale Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (26 January).

He remains in custody and is due to appear before Manchester Crown Court, Minshull Street, on Thursday 9 February.

NWN: This sort of thing has now become the norm. Nobody takes notice anymore. Even we here are also guilty of this, as we expect them to do this.All 'salted away' as a very minor story nowadays.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

David Icke's recent Manchester meeting under attack by someone –  called 'Steve Silverman' and the campaign against anti-semitism.

cropped-thoug-police
image1 https://www.davidicke.com/article/400361/perhaps-came-manchester-will-respectfully-reply-puerile-nonsense-point-i-spent-day-showing-racism-idiocy-even-according-laws-physics

Hiding behind the law: Fury as four people mounting fresh High Court bid to block Brexit win the right from judge to stay ANONYMOUS 'because of fears over their safety' 

  • Claimants say they fear receiving same abuse as Gina Miller got in November
  • The group can only be named as W,L, T and B after Mr Justice Cranston's ruling
  • They were all either born in EU countries or married to someone who was
  • Brexit will leave their futures in the United Kingdom 'in limbo', their lawyers say 
  • Judge made order barring journalists revealing their names in reports of case 
A judge was today accused of blocking 'open justice' after four people mounting a fresh High Court bid to block Brexit were granted anonymity.
The individuals, whose case could delay or even block the UK leaving the EU, have successfully argued their identities should be kept secret from the public.
The four applicants, who were either born in EU countries or married to someone who was, cannot be named after an anonymity order was granted by Mr Justice Cranston today.  
The group, who claim Brexit would leave them in 'limbo', asked for anonymity because of the abuse faced by millionaire businesswoman Gina Miller, who needed bodyguards as she took the Government to the Supreme Court over a Parliament vote to trigger Article 50. 
But critics have said the public have a right to know who they are.
Ukip MP Douglas Carswell told MailOnline: 'In a civilised country, every individual has a right to take a case to court - and respected for it. But the rest of us should have the right to know who is trying to frustrate the referendum result. It's only fair.'  
New Brexit case: Four people bringing a new High Court case linked to Brexit have won anonymity by a judge after they used  the example of businesswoman Gina Miller, pictured with bodyguards at the Supreme Court last month
New Brexit case: Four people bringing a new High Court case linked to Brexit have won anonymity by a judge after they used the example of businesswoman Gina Miller, pictured with bodyguards at the Supreme Court last month
Mr Justice Cranston today said the four had a strong case and made an order barring journalists from revealing their names.
Row: Ukip MP Douglas Carswell told MailOnline that the puboic has a right to know who they are
Row: Mr Justice Cranston today said the four had a strong case and made an order barring journalists from revealing their names. Ukip MP Douglas Carswell told MailOnline that the public has a right to know who they are
The new group can only be named as W,L, T and B but the press intends to appeal the ruling at the High Court today. 
Tory MP Philip Davies told MailOnline: 'It doesn't surprise me that these people are embarrassed about what they are doing.
'The British people deserve to know who it is that is trying to subvert the will of the electorate.
'If they are embarrassed or ashamed of what they are doing they shouldn't be doing it. If they are proud of what they are doing then they shouldn't fear being identified and scrutinised.' 
One of the barristers involved in the fresh claim, S Chelvan of No5 Barristers Chambers, told The Guardian that at a full hearing the four would be seeking a declaration 'that the UK cannot withdraw from the EEA without the approval of HM Treasury and an act of Parliament.
'These are ordinary working men and women who have decided to make their futures in the UK and wish the UK to be their permanent home.
'One has mixed nationality, one is a non-EEA national but married to an EEA national. We are trying to highlight the various types of people who will be left in a state of limbo following our withdrawal from the EU.'
Mr Justice Cranston today said the four had a strong case and made an order barring journalists from revealing their names.
He has given gave media organisations permission to challenge his order after a reporter raised concerns about the principle of open justice being undermined.
Lawyers representing the four outlined detail of the case, and arguments for anonymity, at a preliminary High Court hearing in London.
They indicated that the four wanted a judge to analyse the Government's EU withdrawal plans.
They would also raise issues relating to people of mixed nationality living in Britain who might be left in 'limbo' as a result of Brexit, the court heard.
The four claimants are using the example of businesswoman Gina Miller, the public face of the most high profile Brexit court challenge currently at the Supreme Court, who has received death threats since winning the High Court case in November.
Lawyers said a claim had been launched against David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, but no date had been fixed for a final hearing. 
Lawyers for the four claimants said a claim had been launched against Brexit Secretary David Davis, in a case that attempts to stop Britain leaving the European Economic Area 
Lawyers for the four claimants said a claim had been launched against Brexit Secretary David Davis, in a case that attempts to stop Britain leaving the European Economic Area 
Ministers are waiting for Supreme Court justices to rule on a Brexit challenge spearheaded by businesswoman Gina Miller.
Government lawyers appealed after judges at a High Court hearing ruled that Parliament must have the final say on invoking Article 50, which formally begins the withdrawal process.
Lawyers for the four people behind the latest litigation said the fresh claim would centre on Britain's links with the European Economic Area.
They said the four would argue that parliamentary approval was needed to quit the EEA. 
They said Ms Miller, an investment fund manager, had been threatened, and evidence suggested that the four people could also be at risk.
Mrs Miller said she beefed up protections after a £5,000 reward was offered on social media to anyone who ran her over.
The details emerged as the equalities watchdog appealed for politicians on both sides of the bitter EU row to tone down their rhetoric.
Nigel Farage has also spoken of his fears for his safety in the wake of the referendum amid a welter of death threats.
he case is due to be considered by the Supreme Court before Christmas, with a victory for the challenge potentially delaying Mrs May's plans to trigger Article 50 by March.
Mrs Miller said: 'There is a security burden that I had not envisaged.
'I have had to take measures for myself and my staff as well as for the business and website — all in all, we're talking £50,000-£60,000.
'It may be more, depending on what happens at the Supreme Court. Somebody has put a bounty on my head on social media, offering £5,000 to anybody who runs me over.'

FORMER LABOUR MP TURNED JUDGE GAVE ORDER BANNING GROUP FROM BEING NAMED 

Mr Justice Ross Cranston is an Australian by birth and was an academic and QC before he entered politics as a Labour MP, becoming Tony Blair's Solicitor General
Mr Justice Ross Cranston is an Australian by birth and was an academic and QC before he entered politics as a Labour MP, becoming Tony Blair's Solicitor General
The High Court judge who granted anonymity to four people bringing a Brexit case is a former Labour MP.
Mr Justice Ross Cranston is an Australian by birth and was an academic and QC before he entered politics.
He first stood for Labour in Richmond, Yorkshire, in 1992 and lost to William Hague by 33,000 votes.
He was then elected MP for Dudley North at the 1997 general election abd was then appointed Solicitor General by Tony Blair, staying in post between 1998 and 2001.
In 2005 he announced he as standing down as an MP and after working at the London School of Economics for two years he was appointed as a High Court judge in 2007. 
Critics at the time at the time it was strange appointment because it was only two years after he left full time politics.
He has been involved in a number of controversial cases.
In 2008 a High Court bid to ban hunt protesters from a private estate came to an unexpected when it emerged he - the judge in the case - had voiced strong opposition to hunting. 
When he was MP for Dudley North in 2000 he described fox-hunting as 'not a sport, but a barbaric and cruel activity' in a statement to a local newspaper, the Stourbridge News.
He then went on to 'welcome the chance to vote...and consign this brutal practice to the dustbin of history'. 
In 2013 he ruled a former top diplomat should have the right to substantial compensation from the government because the ruled the Foreign Office let him down when he was wrongly accused of touching the rear of a senior politician's wife.
John Yapp - Britain's man in Belize until his sudden suspension in June 2008 - said he was left 'shell-shocked' when his superiors confronted him with the bizarre allegation levelled by an opposition politician from the central American state.
He was suspended from his post as High Commissioner with immediate effect, London's High Court heard, and never re-engaged at ambassadorial level.
That allegation was described as 'unfounded and scurrilous' by Mr Yapp and Mr Justice Cranston ruled that the FCO 'acted in breach of contract and in breach of its duty of care in withdrawing Mr Yapp from his post without affording him fair treatment'.  
But in a previous anonymity case he rulked that a murderer should not be allowed to be anonymous because he committed 'appalling and horrific' murders.
But the man, who can only be named as 'X', appealed to the Supreme Court, where he won his case.
Millionaire Gina Miller and the other campaigners trying to block Britain’s exit from the EU 
Ministers are waiting for Supreme Court justices to rule on a Brexit challenge spearheaded by businesswoman Gina Miller bewfore decisiong
Ministers are waiting for Supreme Court justices to rule on a Brexit challenge spearheaded by businesswoman Gina Miller bewfore decisiong
Millionaire Gina Miller, a hairdresser born in Brazil and the director of a lobby group originally founded by Lord Mandelson are among the people who used the courts to try to thwart Brexit.
Ms Miller has been named a 'hero' and 'woman of the year' by supporters backing her decision to take the Government to court.
On each day of the Supreme Court Mrs Miller came into court flanked by bodyguards after abuse and threats, including by some people who have been arrested.  
Often described as a former model – though it is not clear exactly when she was modelling – three-times married Mrs Miller styles herself as an investment guru and philanthropist.
Initially Mrs Miller wanted a career as a barrister but claims she was deterred by sexism. 
Instead, she took jobs in marketing and events management before venturing into investment. 
Her second marriage was to controversial financier Jon Maguire whose fund later lost around £120million. 
She walked away and met current husband Alan Miller in 2002 when they worked at New Star, a firm based across the road from Harrods in London’s Knightsbridge.
Mr Miller – now known as Mr Hedge Fund – left his wife Melissa and there followed a bitterly acrimonious divorce battle in which he was forced to hand over a record £5million after less than three years of marriage.
At the time, he was reportedly worth £17.5million. Today the balding, bespectacled financier is worth nearer £30million.
Her court battle has been designed to stop Theresa May using the royal prerogative to trigger Article 50 - a ruling is due in the coming weeks.
Hairdresser Deir Dos Santos and a lobby group founded by Lord Mandelson have also instructed lawyers to challenge designed to thwart Brexit
Hairdresser Deir Dos Santos and a lobby group founded by Lord Mandelson have also instructed lawyers to challenge designed to thwart Brexit
Hairdresser Deir Dos Santos and a lobby group founded by Lord Mandelson have also instructed lawyers to challenge designed to thwart Brexit
Whitehall insiders say that, if the Government loses, a one-line Bill will be published immediately asking Parliament to give authority for the Prime Minister to trigger Article 50. 
The court battle that plunged Britain into a constitutional crisis may have been led by Gina Miller, but it was started by a mysterious hairdresser who was born in Brazil.
Few had heard of Deir Dos Santos. He has no legal expertise and it is unclear where he developed his niche interest in the minutiae of the British constitution.
Even more puzzlingly, he actually voted for Brexit. But Mr Dos Santos, 37, who holds both Brazilian and British passports, apparently took exception to the way Theresa May was going about it.
Flamboyant plumbing tycoon Charlie Mullins – a dedicated Remainer and key backer of the legal challenge – also joined them at the Royal Courts of Justice.
The founder of Pimlico Plumbers, who describes himself as the ‘plumber to the stars’, bobbed up and down in front of the cameras wearing a tight-fitting pinstriped suit. He also illegally parked his blue Bentley on the pavement outside.
The entrepreneur, who is worth more than £70million and is a Tory donor, even brought along a livery-clad lackey to buff his £336,000 Bentley Mulsanne, which has a customised number plate ‘CH4RLE’.
He said the judge’s decision was a ‘no-brainer’, adding: ‘It took three minutes to prove Article 50 needs to be triggered by Parliament, not by the Government.’ 
Flamboyant plumbing tycoon Charlie Mullins – a dedicated Remainer and key backer of the legal challenge – cut a bizarre figure at the Royal Courts of Justice
Flamboyant plumbing tycoon Charlie Mullins – a dedicated Remainer and key backer of the legal challenge – cut a bizarre figure at the Royal Courts of Justice
In December Peter Wilding, director of British Influence and Adrian Yalland, a Conservative lobbyist who voted to leave, demanded a judicial review into whether leaving the EU means automatic withdrawal from the single market.
The British Influence think-tank, founded by the architect of New Labour and close ally of Tony Blair, wants a judicial review into whether leaving the EU means automatic withdrawal from the single market.
If it succeeds, it would mean MPs – many of whom are opposed to a ‘hard Brexit’ – would be given a say.
Leave supporters say remaining in the single market would mean businesses would still have to abide by stifling red tape, and Britain would have to sign up to continued freedom of movement of people.
Mr Yalland told the Daily Mail last month: ‘The purpose of the claim is not to "thwart" Brexit but to establish if the Government's position that we leave the single market "automatically" when we leave the EU is correct - because if we are correct, and the UK can stay in the single market after Breixt, this will prevent the EU using the single market as a "bargaining chip". This will shorten the negotiations, speed Brexit up and give the Government more options'. 

Hungary set to turn screws on Soros-backed NGOs

Co-Chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Marta Pardavi, poses for a photo in Budapest
Co-Chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Marta Pardavi, poses for a photo in Budapest (AFP Photo/ATTILA KISBENEDEK)
Budapest (AFP) - Hungarian NGOs have long felt the heat under strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orban -- but they now fear that, emboldened by Donald Trump's victory, the right-wing premier will turn the screws even tighter.
First in line may be groups backed by Hungarian-born billionaire financier George Soros, whose foundation once funded the Oxford studies of a young Orban more than 25 years ago.
Last week the deputy head of Orban's ruling party Fidesz, in power since 2010, said that non-governmental organisations should be "cleaned out of here".
Szilard Nemeth said that criticism of government policies by "fake" civil organisations set up to "influence politics" by Soros and others was "impermissible".
The remarks triggered alarm among beleaguered NGOs, many of which -- in the absence of a credible political opposition -- have long attacked Orban's sweeping revamp of state institutions and hardline anti-immigration stance.
"This is a new level of NGO-bashing," said Marta Pardavi, co-head of the Hungarian branch of the Helsinki Committee, a human rights group that provides free advice to asylum-seekers.
Nemeth name-checked the body as potential targets along with civil rights group TASZ and corruption watchdog Transparency International.
"The notion that we should be swept away like rubbish or have no right to comment on politics shows their arrogant intolerance of different views," Pardavi told AFP.
Her office, staffed by some two dozen lawyers, heaves with case files as well as reports that have slammed Orban's anti-migration policies.
She freely admits that her organisation relies on foreign funding to continue operating. But "otherwise it's not possible to do human rights advocacy work in Hungary," she says.
Mirroring pressure in Russia under President Vladimir Putin, scrutiny of foreign-funded NGOs has been cranked up since Orban was re-elected in 2014.
Dozens of groups supported by Norway were investigated by government auditors over alleged financial irregularities.
None were found, and the purge prompted US President Barack Obama to warn Hungary against a "clampdown" on civil society.
- 'Foreign money' -
Orban's spokesman Zoltan Kovacs told AFP that the election of Trump as US president -- Orban is a great admirer -- will bring in a "new era".
"With the new US administration, pseudo civil sector activity is not going to drive international politics," he told AFP.
But Kovacs stressed that Hungary was not about to kick anybody out.
"The rule of law prevails in Hungary. It's impossible to have singular or targeted action against anyone. Any new rules will apply to all and be in line with EU and international law," Kovacs said.
But he added: "It's clear we need changes, we don't know how much foreign money or foreign influence there is behind NGOs."
"Many on the political left claim they are civilians but they clearly have political goals and act like the political opposition."
A draft bill addressing "transparency" of NGO funding will be submitted to parliament around April, according to a schedule on the Hungarian parliament website.
Details have yet to be worked out though, said Kovacs.
- Soros in crosshairs -
The 86-year-old Soros, whose Open Society Foundations (OSF) body has funded civil groups in Eastern Europe since the 1980s, is in the crosshairs of the new push.
"Soros has decided that he will be Viktor Orban's opponent and opposition in Hungarian politics... People have the right to know which organisations he's doing this through," Orban's chief-of-staff Janos Lazar said last week.
Hungarian officials have even accused Soros-backed NGOs of posing a national security risk during Europe's migration crisis by allegedly colluding with human-smugglers and "terrorists".
It's a charge Marta Pardavi says could scare off small donors if they fear their data might be compromised.
"What a wonderful way of discrediting NGOs," she said.
The OSF meanwhile has no plans to quit Hungary, its president Christopher Stone said.
"We are not the opposition, neither in Hungary, nor elsewhere. We are promoters of open debate," he said in a statement emailed to AFP.
The body says it currently funds over 60 Hungarian NGOs, ranging from corruption watchdogs and investigative journalists to human rights and anti-discrimination bodies.
It has also awarded thousands of scholarships to Hungarian students -- including Orban in 1989 -- while the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and TASZ were even praised by Fidesz before 2010.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Hungary Plans to Crackdown on All Soros-Funded NGOs

  • Ruling Fidesz party vice president pledges to ‘sweep out’ NGOs
  • Premier Orban, Trump backer, vowed to build ‘illiberal state’
Hungary plans to crack down on non-governmental organizations linked to billionaire George Soros now that Donald Trump will occupy the White House, according to the deputy head of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s party.
The European Union member will use “all the tools at its disposal” to “sweep out” NGOs funded by the Hungarian-born financier, which “serve global capitalists and back political correctness over national governments,” Szilard Nemeth, a vice president of the ruling Fidesz party, told reporters on Tuesday. No one answered the phone at the Open Society Institute in Budapest when Bloomberg News called outside business hours.
“I feel that there is an opportunity for this, internationally,” because of Trump’s election, state news service MTI reported Nemeth as saying. Lawmakers will start debating a bill to let authorities audit NGO executives, according to parliament’s legislative agenda.

Orban, the first European leader to publicly back Trump’s campaign, has ignored criticism from the European Commission and U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration for building a self-described “illiberal state” modeled on authoritarian regimes including Russia, China and Turkey. In 2014, Orban personally ordered the state audit agency to probe foundations financed by Norway and said that civil society groups financed from abroad were covers for “paid political activists.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Orban and his administration have frequently singled out NGOs supported by Soros, a U.S. Democratic Party supporter with a wide network of organizations that promote democracy in formerly communist eastern Europe.

‘Power Structure’

Trump also accused the 86-year-old billionaire of being part of “a global power structure that is responsible for the economic decisions that have robbed our working class, stripped our country of its wealth and put that money into the pockets of a handful of large corporations and political entities.”
In a pre-election commercial, he showed images of Soros along with Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. CEO Lloyd Blankfein, all of whom are Jewish. The Anti-Defamation League criticized the ad for touching on “subjects that anti-Semites have used for ages.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-10/trump-s-win-prompts-hungarian-call-for-crackdown-on-soros-groups

Tuesday, January 10, 2017


Justice for Northern Ireland veterans

Israel plot to 'take down' Tory minister: Astonishing undercover video captures diplomat conspiring with rival MP's aide to smear Deputy Foreign Secretary 

  • Israeli Embassy made vow to ‘take down’ Foreign Office deputy Sir Alan Duncan
  • Bombshell footage covertly filmed in restaurant, obtained by Mail on Sunday
  • Senior diplomat is egged on by a senior aide to another Conservative Minister

Target: Foreign Office deputy Sir Alan Duncan
Target: Foreign Office deputy Sir Alan Duncan
The Israeli Embassy made a shocking vow to ‘take down’ Boris Johnson’s Foreign Office deputy, a secret film reveals today.
The bombshell footage, covertly filmed in a London restaurant and obtained by The Mail on Sunday, shows a senior diplomat making the astonishing threat to target Sir Alan Duncan.
Extraordinarily, he is egged on by a senior aide to another Conservative Minister, Robert Halfon.
The video comes in a film claiming to expose the way that the Israeli government has ‘infiltrated’ both the Conservative and Labour parties via its embassy in the UK, using secret cash and covert support.
Further footage shows the Israeli diplomat, intelligence expert Shai Masot, telling senior Labour MP Joan Ryan that he has obtained ‘more than £1 million’ to pay for sympathetic Labour MPs to visit Israel.
Mr Masot also mocks ‘crazy’Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his ‘weirdo’ supporters. Footage shows pro-Israel Labour activists discussing the Jerusalem government’s secret role in backing their activities.
Last night it emerged that Israeli ambassador Mark Regev had made a full apology to Sir Alan for Mr Masot’s ‘completely unacceptable’ comments.
And a spokesman for Boris Johnson said: ‘The Israeli ambassador has apologised and made it clear to us that these comments do not represent the views of the Israeli Embassy or government.’
The revelations follow Tory infighting over the party’s policy on the Israel-Palestine dispute, and repeated claims of anti-Semitism among Labour’s Leftwing ‘Corbynistas’.

Israeli intelligence expert Shai Masot openly spoke about the plot during a recent dinner
Israeli intelligence expert Shai Masot openly spoke about the plot during a recent dinner
'Don't tell anyone': Mr Mascot, left, and Ms Strizzolo, at their filmed meeting at Aubaine restaurant
'Don't tell anyone': Mr Mascot, left, and Ms Strizzolo, at their filmed meeting at Aubaine restaurant
Senior Tory MPs have condemned the apparent threat to ‘take down’ Sir Alan – who has been critical of Israel and who is described in the secret footage as causing ‘problems’ – and called for a Downing Street inquiry.
Former Tory Minister Sir Desmond Swayne condemned Mr Masot’s ‘disgraceful’ comments, adding: ‘To talk of “taking down” a British Minister is very sinister.
‘There is anger in the US at Russia’s meddling in its democratic process and no such foreign meddling should be allowed in the UK.’
He was backed by Crispin Blunt, Conservative chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, who is also targeted by Masot in the film. He called the alleged comments about Sir Alan ‘outrageous’.
The disclosures are in a film made by the investigative unit of the Qataribased Al Jazeera TV company, which claims to show how the Israeli Government has ‘infiltrated’ the Conservative and Labour parties.
But Lord Stuart Polak, senior director, of the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI), said last night: ‘It is utter nonsense to assert that any UK political party is taken over by any organisation.
‘The Friends of Israel groups do their job of educating their members about the complicated issues in the Middle East. The Israeli Embassy represents Israel in a professional manner.
‘To suggest they are involved in anything sinister is poppycock.’
One pundit claimed that Britain’s recent support for a UN Security Council vote condemning Jewish settlements on the West Bank undermined the claim that the pro-Israeli lobby dictates UK foreign policy.
The Israeli diplomat, pictured, suggested efforts should be made to target Sir Alan Duncan
The Israeli diplomat, pictured, suggested efforts should be made to target Sir Alan Duncan
The bombshell footage was covertly filmed in this London restaurant and obtained by The Mail on Sunday
The bombshell footage was covertly filmed in this London restaurant and obtained by The Mail on Sunday
Labour MP Joan Ryan was told by the diplomat that she could go on an expenses paid trip to Israel at the meeting 
Labour MP Joan Ryan was told by the diplomat that she could go on an expenses paid trip to Israel at the meeting 
However, days after the vote, Theresa May angered Palestinian supporters by attacking US Secretary of State John Kerry’s claim that the current Israeli Government is the ‘most Right-wing in its history’.
An undercover reporter and hidden cameras tracked Mr Masot across Britain as he held secret talks with figures from CFI and its Labour counterpart (LFI).
His apparent threat to ‘take down’ Sir Alan was made a month later at the Aubaine restaurant, directly opposite the Israeli Embassy in Kensington, West London, where Masot is based.
Also present was Maria Strizzolo, senior aide to Education Minister Robert Halfon, former political director of CFI.
After Ms Strizzolo boasts about her role in making Halfon a successful Minister, Mr Masot asks her: ‘That’s obvious, but can you do the opposite stuff as well? 
Can I give you some names of MPs? Duncan is doing a lot of problems 
Can I give you some names of MPs that I would suggest you take down?’
When Ms Strizzolo replies that all MPs ‘have something they’re trying to hide,’ Mr Masot says: ‘I have some MPs’ and tells the undercover reporter: ‘She knows which MPs I want to take down… the Deputy Foreign Minister [Duncan].’
He says Sir Alan – a well-known critic of Israel, and Boris Johnson’s second-incommand – is ‘doing a lot of problems’.
He appears to suggest that Sir Alan is more powerful because Johnson ‘is an idiot with no responsibilities. If something real happened… it will be Duncan.’
Strizzolo says Sir Alan is ‘impossible to rebuff’ and has powerful ‘friends and claims that in a bitter clash over Israel with her boss, Sir Alan ‘threatened to destroy’ Mr Halfon.
‘Rob told the Whips and they told him [Halfon] to calm down,’ she says. Strizzolo then suggests: ‘A little scandal maybe?’ adding: ‘Don’t tell anyone about this meeting.’
The Israeli diplomat targeted pro-Palestinian Deputy Foreign Secretary Sir Alan Duncan, not 'idiot' Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
The Israeli diplomat targeted pro-Palestinian Deputy Foreign Secretary Sir Alan Duncan (left), not 'idiot' Boris Johnson (right)
Ambitious Mr Masot’s CV has the hallmarks of a spy: he spent eight years in the Israeli Navy’s ‘Special Unit’, has a degree in International Affairs, worked in Israeli Defence intelligence, has the rank of major and recently applied to run Israeli Foreign Affairs intelligence.
He says that he is ‘not a career diplomat’ and came to the UK ‘to take care of specific political issues – that’s what I do’.
Mr Masot also says he missed out on a job in the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, joking: ‘It was a huge fight… me and another candidate... I tried to kill him but it didn’t work.’
In a discussion about other ‘pro Arab’ Tory MPs, Mr Masot refers to Crispin Blunt, who, like Sir Alan, has criticised Israel.
Ms Strizzolo chips in: ‘On the hit list? Yeah!’ adding she ‘cannot stand [‘pro-Arab Tories’] – they’re horrible people... the two go together.’ 

CAUGHT ON FILM AT DINNER

Mario Strizzolo is an aide to Robert Halfon
Robert Halfon, ex-political director of Conservative Friends of Israel
Mario Strizzolo is an aide to Robert Halfon, ex-political director of Conservative Friends of Israel
The target and his 'idiot' boss: The Israeli diplomat targeted pro-Palestinian Deputy Foreign Secretary Sir Alan Duncan, not 'idiot' Boris Johnson
The Israeli agent provocateur: The diplomat Shai Masot, pictured at the Labour conference with Israeli ambassador Mark Regev, says he 'takes care of political issues'
The fixer with a score to settle: Mario Strizzolo is an aide to Robert Halfon, ex-political director of Conservative Friends of Israel, who had a bust-up with Alan Duncan 
‘Arab apologists,’ comments Mr Masot.
Both Mr Halfon and Ms Strizzolo are prominent supporters of Conservative Friends of Israel.
Shortly after Mr Halfon was made an Education Minister by Theresa May last year, Ms Strizzolo, his former Commons chief of staff, became a civil servant at the Education Department and continues to work part-time for him at the Commons.
In the film, she boasts of how she and the CFI ensure Tory MPs offer vocal support for Israel, for example by preparing public statements for them.
‘If you do everything for them it’s harder for them to say, “I don’t have the time... I won’t do it,” ’ she said.
She says she phoned Mr Halfon from Israel and ‘convinced’ him to ask a question to David Cameron in support of Israel in Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons in 2014.
When Mr Masot asks: ‘Did he do it?’, Ms Strizzolo replies: ‘Yeah, and [obtained] a Government statement.’
The film also shows how Mr Masot had intensive contact with pro-Israel Labour figures and discussed extra funding for LFI at the party’s conference in Liverpool in September.
The diplomat Shai Masot, on the right of this picture taken at the Labour conference with Israeli ambassador Mark Regev, says he ‘takes care of political issues’
The diplomat Shai Masot, on the right of this picture taken at the Labour conference with Israeli ambassador Mark Regev, says he ‘takes care of political issues’
He tells the group’s chairman, Ms Ryan, of plans for ‘another delegation of LFI activists’ to visit Israel.
Ms Ryan responds: ‘That’d be good. What happened with the names we put in to the embassy, Shai?’
Masot: ‘We’ve got the money, more than £1 million, it’s a lot of money.’
Ryan: ‘It must be.’
Masot: ‘I have got it from Israel. It is an approval.’
Ryan: ‘I didn’t think you had it in your bag!’
Last night, Ms Ryan said the claims in the film were ‘rubbish.’
Mr Halfon and the Israeli embassy declined to comment.
Ms Strizzolo said last night her conversation with Masot was ‘tongue-in-cheek and gossipy’, adding: ‘Any suggestion that I… could exert the type of influence you are suggesting is risible.’
She knew Mr Masot ‘purely socially and as a friend. He is not someone with whom I have ever worked or had any political dealings beyond chatting about politics, as millions of people do, in a social context.’
Sir Alan also declined to comment. 
  • The Lobby series will be shown on Al Jazeera’s English channel from January 15.

'LOOK HARD ENOUGH AND I'M SURE THERE IS SOMETHING THEY'RE TRYING TO HIDE' 

Edited transcript of meeting between Shai Masot (M), senior political officer, Israeli Embassy, London, Maria Strizzolo (S), leading pro-Israel Tory activist and an aide to Conservative Minister Robert Halfon, and an undercover reporter (R).
M: Can I give you names of MPs I suggest you take down?
S: If you look hard enough I’m sure there’s something they’re trying to hide.
M: Yeah. I have some MPs.
S: Let’s talk about it.
R: Yeah.
M: She knows which MPs I want to take down.
S: Yeah, it’s good to remind me.
M: The Deputy Foreign Minister [Duncan].
S: You still want to go for it?
M: ...He’s doing a lot of problems. 
S: Really?
M: Really. It sounds like a conspiracy.
S: I thought you had neutralised it a little bit?
M: No. Boris. He’s basically good.
S: He’s solid on Israel.
M: Yeah. He just doesn’t care. He is an idiot but has become Minister of Foreign Affairs without any responsibilities. If something real happened it won’t be his fault... it will be Alan Duncan.
Duncan is impossible to rebuff... he has a lot of friends.
S: Years ago, Rob [Halfon] was asking questions in Parliament about terrorist salaries...
M: When he [Duncan] was a DFID minister?
S: Yeah. He [Duncan] told him [Halfon]: if you don’t stop this I’m going to destroy you and all of that s***.  Rob told the Whips and they told him to calm down. So never say never.
M: Never say never, yeah but...
S: A little scandal maybe? Don’t tell anyone about this meeting.
M: Who would we tell? Masot and Strizzolo on ‘horrible anti-Israel’ Tory MPs.
M: Crispin Blunt [chairman of Commons Foreign Affairs committee]. Those are people you...
S: ...On the hit list? Yeah!
M. I don’t have any problems with them.
S: Some super pro-Arabist [Tory MPs]… I can’t stand [them], They’re horrible people - the two go together.
M: Yeah…
'Poisonous conduct is a disgrace':  Minister who served in David Cameron's government says it is time to end the problem of Israel buying UK policy
Last month Theresa May, like David Cameron each year before her, spoke to the annual lunch of the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI).
She oozed praise for Israel as a democracy, spoke of the constant terrorist threat they face, and condemned the way that Palestinians supposedly incite violence and anti-Semitism.
Her own policy that considers Israeli settlements on Palestinian land illegal received only a passing mention.
The reason is clear: the Conservative Party wants pro-Israel donors’ money, and principle in the Government’s foreign policy has been relegated.
Matters deteriorated further over Christmas after US Secretary of State John Kerry’s forceful condemnation of the extremism and conduct of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israeli government.
Instead of agreeing with his comments – which are identical to her own policy – she criticised Kerry.
Behind this inconsistent and concerning attitude lies a serious and troubling problem. British foreign policy is in hock to Israeli influence at the heart of our politics, and those in authority have ignored what is going on.
For years the CFI and Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), have worked with – even for – the Israeli government and their London embassy to promote Israeli policy and thwart UK Government policy and the actions of Ministers who try to defend Palestinian rights.
Lots of countries try to force their views on others, but what is scandalous in the UK is that instead of resisting it, successive Governments have submitted to it, taken donors’ money, and allowed Israeli influence-peddling to shape policy and even determine the fate of Ministers.
Even now, if I were to reveal who I am, I would be subjected to a relentless barrage of abuse and character assassination.
The CFI is not affiliated to the Conservative Party. It is incorporated in a way that means it is not to transparent about donors. Yet it arranges for the support of MPs and funds regular visits to Israel which distort the truth. Cameron turned a blind eye to Israeli misconduct – if he ever cared about it – because he was persuaded any criticism would reduce Party donations.
It now seems clear people in the Conservative and Labour Parties have been working with the Israeli embassy which has used them to demonise and trash MPs who criticise Israel; an army of Israel’s useful idiots in Parliament.
This is politically corrupt, and diplomatically indefensible. The conduct of certain MPs needs to be exposed as the poisonous and deceitful infiltration of our politics by the unwitting agents of another country, which acts in defiance of international law, and whose government Kerry called its most extreme ever.
We need a full inquiry into the Israeli Embassy, the links, access and funding of the CFI and LFI, and an undertaking from all political parties that they welcome the financial and political support of the UK Jewish community, but won’t accept any engagement linked to Israel until it stops building illegally on Palestinian land.
This opaque funding and underhand conduct is a national disgrace and humiliation and must be stamped out.