Statement from the British Ambassador to Bahrain
The British Ambassador, Iain Lindsay OBE, made the following statement:
“I categorically reject suggestions made by some commentators that the UK condones violence in Bahrain. The UK has consistently condemned violence in Bahrain, most recently following last week’s tragic bomb attack in which 3 policemen were killed. We have also repeatedly called on all political and community leaders and the media to reduce tensions by avoiding the use of inflammatory rhetoric.
As FCO Minister of State for the Middle East, Hugh Robertson, said on 3 March in condemning the bombing “Violence has no place in constructive dialogue, reconciliation and reform, which HM the King and Crown Prince are pursuing and which the vast majority of Bahrainis support”. As a close and long-standing friend of Bahrain, the UK will continue to lend its support, as the Foreign Secretary made clear at the Manama Dialogue in December 2013 when he said “We will be a staunch friend to you, supporting the sustained comprehensive reform you’re seeking and calling on all sides to play a constructive role in political dialogue”.”