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Prince Andrew to promote Britain in Bahrain visit | Prince Andrew to promote Britain in Bahrain visit |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Duke of York is due to start an official visit to the Middle Eastern state of Bahrain to promote the UK. | The Duke of York is due to start an official visit to the Middle Eastern state of Bahrain to promote the UK. |
The UK government asked Prince Andrew to make the trip, which begins on Tuesday, as part of Britain's "Great" campaign to boost business and tourism. | The UK government asked Prince Andrew to make the trip, which begins on Tuesday, as part of Britain's "Great" campaign to boost business and tourism. |
Buckingham Palace said the visit would highlight links between the countries. | Buckingham Palace said the visit would highlight links between the countries. |
Questions have previously been raised about human rights in Bahrain since pro-democracy protests were put down during the Arab Spring of 2011. | Questions have previously been raised about human rights in Bahrain since pro-democracy protests were put down during the Arab Spring of 2011. |
Airshow guest | Airshow guest |
The duke will attend an education event organised by the British Council, meet young Bahraini entrepreneurs and join the audience of a cultural event featuring a performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, of which he is patron. | The duke will attend an education event organised by the British Council, meet young Bahraini entrepreneurs and join the audience of a cultural event featuring a performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, of which he is patron. |
He will also be a guest at the official launch of Great British week at the Bahrain International Airshow. | He will also be a guest at the official launch of Great British week at the Bahrain International Airshow. |
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "Following a request from Her Majesty's government, the Duke of York will this week travel to Bahrain. | A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "Following a request from Her Majesty's government, the Duke of York will this week travel to Bahrain. |
"The official visit coincides with Great British Week in Bahrain, which will highlight the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Bahrain. | "The official visit coincides with Great British Week in Bahrain, which will highlight the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Bahrain. |
"His Royal Highness's programme of engagements reflects a number of the duke's core priorities, including education, young people and skills, and entrepreneurship." | "His Royal Highness's programme of engagements reflects a number of the duke's core priorities, including education, young people and skills, and entrepreneurship." |
The Great campaign promotes the UK around the world, building on the success of the Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics and Paralympics. | The Great campaign promotes the UK around the world, building on the success of the Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics and Paralympics. |
'Endless circuit' | 'Endless circuit' |
Human rights organisation Amnesty International said anyone visiting Bahrain should go there with their "eyes wide open". | Human rights organisation Amnesty International said anyone visiting Bahrain should go there with their "eyes wide open". |
A spokeswoman said: "They have long ago reneged on promises to reform, and the country is now trapped in an endless circuit of protest-clampdown, further protest-further clampdown. | A spokeswoman said: "They have long ago reneged on promises to reform, and the country is now trapped in an endless circuit of protest-clampdown, further protest-further clampdown. |
"Over recent years we've had police officers acquitted of murder and torture charges or given disgracefully lenient sentences, and protesters - including children - given very long prison sentences." | "Over recent years we've had police officers acquitted of murder and torture charges or given disgracefully lenient sentences, and protesters - including children - given very long prison sentences." |
In a speech to the Bahrain British Business Forum last month, Britain's ambassador, Iain Lindsay, highlighted help the UK had given to implement reform. | |
In 2011, it was announced that the duke was to stand down as a trade envoy for Britain after being criticised for his links with controversial figures including a convicted sex offender, American financier Jeffrey Epstein. | In 2011, it was announced that the duke was to stand down as a trade envoy for Britain after being criticised for his links with controversial figures including a convicted sex offender, American financier Jeffrey Epstein. |
Prince Andrew had held the role as "special representative" for Trade and Investment since 2001. | Prince Andrew had held the role as "special representative" for Trade and Investment since 2001. |
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