William Eichler 02 October 2019

Brighton councillors criticise arms manufacturer for ‘deadly bombs’ used in Yemen

Councillors in Brighton have called on the Government to stop a local business from manufacturing ‘deadly bombs and weapons’ after the company was named in a UN report.

A United Nations Panel of Experts report found evidence of bomb fragments from the Moulsecoomb-based EDO MBM Technology Ltd used in a Saudi-led airstrike on a water pump factory in war-torn Yemen in September 2016.

While EDO MBM are not accused of breaking any laws or regulations, the UN found the attack by Saudi Arabia ‘violated international humanitarian law’.

The Brighton councillors have written to the defence secretary Ben Wallace MP demanding he carry out an investigation in the wake of the attack.

Thirty-three Labour, Green and Conservative councillors, plus Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, signed the letter which states: ‘As you will know, the targeting of civilian infrastructure that has no dual use for military purpose is a war crime.

‘We are therefore extremely concerned that the Government has issued a licence for a weapon that has been used illegally.’

The Court of Appeal ruled in June that the Government had broken the law by licensing arms exports to Saudi Arabia, which is involved in the civil war in Yemen, a conflict which has cost the lives of thousands of civilians.

The letter adds: ‘We therefore call on you to suspend all extant licences (OIELs) which EDO MBM and other companies used in this case and fully investigate this matter.

‘If the information is found to be correct, we request that you revoke licenses used by EDO MBM and its partners to sell weapons parts and arms.’

Council leader Nancy Platts commented: ‘We were all horrified to read the newspaper story. The Government is clearly failing to ensure weapons manufactured in Britain – and worse still here in Brighton – are not used to target civilians.

‘We need a full investigation and reassurances from the secretary of state that these violations will not happen again.

‘I wish that the EDO MBM factory was not based in Brighton or anywhere in the UK for that matter as I am personally opposed to the UK arms trade, however that is outside our powers as a local authority.’

Photo: anasalhajj/Shutterstock.com

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Worker (Link Role)

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Family Worker (Link Role)Permanent, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Manager

Wakefield Council
£42,839 to £46,142, Grade 10.
We have fantastic opportunity available for a Residential Children’s Home Assistant Manager. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Council Tax Officers - North Lincolnshire Council

North East Lincolnshire Council
Grade 6 - £16,765 to £18,501 per year
You will be working as part of the Local Taxation and Benefits Shared Service North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Electoral Services Officer

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC15 - £30,024
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping democracy while thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven environment? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Family Support Worker

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC 19 - £32,061
Are you committed to improving outcomes for our Young People? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council
Linkedin Banner