British Foreign Secretary comments on the possibility of Asma al Assad returning to Britain
Still the issue of former Syrian first lady, Asma al Assad, (49), which escaped along her husband, Bashar al Assad and their children to Russia, as the debate over the possibility of her return to Britain is a subject of controversy in media circles.
Back in March 2012, Asma’s assets were frozen as part of European sanctions that London maintained despite its exit from the European Union, justifying this by saying that she “benefits from the Syrian regime to which she is linked”.
However, she holds a British passport and isn’t banned from entering British territory.
In response to a question on Monday evening before the House of Commons, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s position was categorical.
“I’ve seen in recent days that there is talk that Asma al Assad, who holds British citizenship, might try to come to our country… I can confirm that she is subject to sanctions and she is not welcome,” he said.
“I’ll do my utmost to ensure that none of this family members reside in the UK,” he added.
Earlier, senior Labor government official Pat McFadden said the authorities had made no contact or received any request for Assad’s wife to come to the UK.
The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that it was “too early” to raise the issue.
