Menu
18/05/2012
Queen's Lunch Guestlist Attracts Criticism
A lunch being hosted by The Queen has been criticised for its guestlist.
Some of those expected at Windsor Castle later include the King of Bahrain and Swaziland's King Mswati III.
Critics accuse Bahrain of human rights abuses and say King Mswati lives in luxury while his people go hungry.
Campaigner Peter Tatchell criticised The Queen for inviting "royal tyrants to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee".
The Foreign Office said it was having "a full and frank discussion on a range of issues" with Bahrain's government.
Buckingham Palace said it will not comment on the lunch.
It will be followed by an evening banquet, hosted by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Not all the monarchs will be at both events.
Mr Tatchell said the invitations were "a shocking misjudgement" that showed the Queen was "out of touch with the humanitarian values of most British people".
"Inviting blood-stained despots brings shame to our monarchy and tarnishes the Diamond Jubilee celebrations," he said.
"It is a kick in the teeth to pro-democracy campaigners and political prisoners in these totalitarian royal regimes."
BBC diplomatic correspondent, Bridget Kendall, says that two problems always hung over this Diamond Jubilee lunch list - the possibility of protests at the inclusion of the despots and non democrats among the invited crowned heads of states, and the risk of diplomatic spats intervening.
(H)
Some of those expected at Windsor Castle later include the King of Bahrain and Swaziland's King Mswati III.
Critics accuse Bahrain of human rights abuses and say King Mswati lives in luxury while his people go hungry.
Campaigner Peter Tatchell criticised The Queen for inviting "royal tyrants to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee".
The Foreign Office said it was having "a full and frank discussion on a range of issues" with Bahrain's government.
Buckingham Palace said it will not comment on the lunch.
It will be followed by an evening banquet, hosted by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Not all the monarchs will be at both events.
Mr Tatchell said the invitations were "a shocking misjudgement" that showed the Queen was "out of touch with the humanitarian values of most British people".
"Inviting blood-stained despots brings shame to our monarchy and tarnishes the Diamond Jubilee celebrations," he said.
"It is a kick in the teeth to pro-democracy campaigners and political prisoners in these totalitarian royal regimes."
BBC diplomatic correspondent, Bridget Kendall, says that two problems always hung over this Diamond Jubilee lunch list - the possibility of protests at the inclusion of the despots and non democrats among the invited crowned heads of states, and the risk of diplomatic spats intervening.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 June 2006
Warning over salt and fat in children's food
Parents are being warned to carefully check the salt and fat content in their children's food after a survey found that some foods contained double the recommended dose of salt or fat.
Warning over salt and fat in children's food
Parents are being warned to carefully check the salt and fat content in their children's food after a survey found that some foods contained double the recommended dose of salt or fat.
05 August 2011
Public Name New Neighbourhoods In Olympic Park
Five new residential areas that will be built on the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park have been named following a public competition. Almost 2,000 people submitted their suggestions to the Olympic Park Legacy Company, inspired by factors such as the future design for the area, its history or the Games themselves.
Public Name New Neighbourhoods In Olympic Park
Five new residential areas that will be built on the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park have been named following a public competition. Almost 2,000 people submitted their suggestions to the Olympic Park Legacy Company, inspired by factors such as the future design for the area, its history or the Games themselves.
30 October 2007
Saudi King Meets the Queen
The Queen has ceremonially welcomed Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah to Britain as controversy continues to grow around the Middle Eastern ruler's visit. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh greeted the Saudi King on Horseguards Parade.
Saudi King Meets the Queen
The Queen has ceremonially welcomed Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah to Britain as controversy continues to grow around the Middle Eastern ruler's visit. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh greeted the Saudi King on Horseguards Parade.
23 March 2015
Farage And Family 'Chased' From Pub
UKIP leader Nigel Farage has been "chased" from a pub in south London as he had lunch with his family. According to reports a group of protesters "invaded" the Queen's Head pub in Downe, Kent, as Mr Farage was having lunch with his wife and two young children.
Farage And Family 'Chased' From Pub
UKIP leader Nigel Farage has been "chased" from a pub in south London as he had lunch with his family. According to reports a group of protesters "invaded" the Queen's Head pub in Downe, Kent, as Mr Farage was having lunch with his wife and two young children.
04 January 2013
Christmas Lunch Food Poisoning Victim Dies
A woman has died and 30 people are ill following a Christmas Day lunch at an east London pub. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) began an inquiry after the Clostridium perfringens bacterium was found in samples from the affected diners. Della Callagher died two days after eating at the Railway Hotel in Hornchurch.
Christmas Lunch Food Poisoning Victim Dies
A woman has died and 30 people are ill following a Christmas Day lunch at an east London pub. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) began an inquiry after the Clostridium perfringens bacterium was found in samples from the affected diners. Della Callagher died two days after eating at the Railway Hotel in Hornchurch.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry day with any low cloud and mist clearing during the morning leaving long spells of warm sunshine. Breezy at times around the coast. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:A fine end to the day with some sunshine, then clear spells overnight. Low cloud could form around some Irish Sea coasts later in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
