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UK ministers boycott England games in Ukraine UK ministers boycott England games in Ukraine
(40 minutes later)
UK government ministers will boycott England's group games in the European football championships in Ukraine.UK government ministers will boycott England's group games in the European football championships in Ukraine.
The move is in protest at the "selective justice" meted out to jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.The move is in protest at the "selective justice" meted out to jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
Attendance at later matches, such as the final in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, is to be kept "under review".Attendance at later matches, such as the final in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, is to be kept "under review".
Other EU nations including Germany, Holland and Austria have also threatened a boycott of the tournament being jointly hosted with Poland.Other EU nations including Germany, Holland and Austria have also threatened a boycott of the tournament being jointly hosted with Poland.
Tymoshenko played a key role in the Orange Revolution in 2004 and says her imprisonment is an act of political revenge by Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych.Tymoshenko played a key role in the Orange Revolution in 2004 and says her imprisonment is an act of political revenge by Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych.
The authorities have rejected Ms Tymoshenko's allegations. She was jailed for seven years in October, for abuse of power during her time as prime minister.The authorities have rejected Ms Tymoshenko's allegations. She was jailed for seven years in October, for abuse of power during her time as prime minister.
'Rule of law''Rule of law'
Last week, she ended a 20-day hunger strike after being moved to a hospital in Kharkiv where she is being treated by a German doctor.Last week, she ended a 20-day hunger strike after being moved to a hospital in Kharkiv where she is being treated by a German doctor.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The government fully supports England's participation in Euro 2012.A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The government fully supports England's participation in Euro 2012.
"We hope this is a successful tournament for the England team, the fans, and the people of Ukraine and Poland."We hope this is a successful tournament for the England team, the fans, and the people of Ukraine and Poland.
"No ministers will be attending group games at Euro 2012."No ministers will be attending group games at Euro 2012.
"We are keeping attendance at later stages of the tournament under review in the light of ministers' busy schedules ahead of the Olympics and widespread concerns about selective justice and the rule of law in Ukraine.""We are keeping attendance at later stages of the tournament under review in the light of ministers' busy schedules ahead of the Olympics and widespread concerns about selective justice and the rule of law in Ukraine."
The BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the move was a "serious diplomatic snub" for Ukraine - which is hoping to use the tournament to boost tourism and showcase the country to the rest of Europe.
If England get to the final of the tournament, they will play at least five games in Ukraine.If England get to the final of the tournament, they will play at least five games in Ukraine.
Should they get through to the knock-out phase, they will play their quarter final in either Donetsk or Kiev. If England come second in their group and go on to win the quarter final, their semi-final will be in Donetsk. The final is to be held in Kiev.Should they get through to the knock-out phase, they will play their quarter final in either Donetsk or Kiev. If England come second in their group and go on to win the quarter final, their semi-final will be in Donetsk. The final is to be held in Kiev.
UK Sports Minister Hugh Robertson would normally have been expected to go the group games, but was occupied with Olympic duties, the Department of Culture Media and Sport said.UK Sports Minister Hugh Robertson would normally have been expected to go the group games, but was occupied with Olympic duties, the Department of Culture Media and Sport said.
"No final decision had been taken about which ministers were to go," said a spokesman."No final decision had been taken about which ministers were to go," said a spokesman.
Ms Tymoshenko's daughter Eugenia this week told BBC News she "understood" the political boycott but wanted the tournament to go ahead.Ms Tymoshenko's daughter Eugenia this week told BBC News she "understood" the political boycott but wanted the tournament to go ahead.
"We understand the political boycott of European leaders who protect the rule of law, who respect human rights, who cannot go there and shake Yanukovych's hand.""We understand the political boycott of European leaders who protect the rule of law, who respect human rights, who cannot go there and shake Yanukovych's hand."
"But I think sports events should go on... My mother, when she was in government, fought for the right to host this championship in Ukraine.""But I think sports events should go on... My mother, when she was in government, fought for the right to host this championship in Ukraine."
Polish warning
Poland, which is co-hosting the tournament with Ukraine, has warned that the EU should not push Ukraine into the arms of Russia through a boycott.Poland, which is co-hosting the tournament with Ukraine, has warned that the EU should not push Ukraine into the arms of Russia through a boycott.
President Bronislaw Komorowski told Polish state television: "We feel that Ukraine is somewhere between a choice of integration with the Western world... or a chance to participate in a customs union proposed by Russia.President Bronislaw Komorowski told Polish state television: "We feel that Ukraine is somewhere between a choice of integration with the Western world... or a chance to participate in a customs union proposed by Russia.
"From this point of view, Poland has well-grounded fears that it (boycotting Ukraine) might result in Ukraine choosing a political route alternative to the process of European integration.""From this point of view, Poland has well-grounded fears that it (boycotting Ukraine) might result in Ukraine choosing a political route alternative to the process of European integration."
Labour are backing the government's stance.
"It is right that UK ministers will not be attending the championships and the government should take care that none of their actions over the next few weeks are seen to endorse the conduct of the government of Ukraine," shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said.