British ministers shun England quarter-final

Britain will not send any ministers to England’s Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy due to “widespread concerns about selective justice” in Ukraine, the government said on Wednesday.

By (AFP)

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Published: Wed 20 Jun 2012, 5:56 PM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 2:20 AM

Anger is running high across Europe over the treatment of jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, and other governments have been putting mounting pressure on Ukraine, the tournament co-hosts.

No British ministers attended England’s three group matches — against France, Sweden and Ukraine — as they were all staged in Ukraine, though the ambassador to Kiev did go.

A spokeswoman for Prime Minister David Cameron’s Downing Street office confirmed that no British minister will be in Kiev to watch Sunday’s quarter-final against Italy.

“It reflects ministers’ busy schedules ahead of the Olympics and widespread concerns about selective justice and the rule of law in the Ukraine,” the spokeswoman said.


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