Airstrip One

Why does Jack Straw not attend the 'Convention'? - 14th December 2002, 17.08

With France and Germany appointing their foreign ministers to this body, Britain stands as the odd man out with a part-time Peter Hain, who has to divide his responsibilities between Cardiff, London and Brussels. Is it because Britain's former 'man in Europe', Sir John Kerr, acts as the Head of the Secretariat for the Convention and is may safeguard the objectives of the Blair government?

Sir John Kerr was formerly Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, a post which he had held since 1997. From 1990-95 he was UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the European Community in Brussels.

For his past history, one need look no further than the 'Arms to Africa' scandal of 1998. He was threatened with contempt of Parliament by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee for providing evasive non-answers to questions on the allegations at the time.