Caroline has slammed the British Government for refusing to sign an international ban on nuclear weapons that is being signed at the UN  today[1]. The treaty was endorsed by 122 countries at the United Nations headquarters in New York earlier this year after months of talks. At least forty eight states are expected to participate in tonight’s High-Level Signature Ceremony for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which will be webcast live[1] and a further five will sign it later this week. The UK did not attend the talks despite government claims to support multilateral disarmament.

 

 

 

"The Government's refusal to sign the weapons ban treaty is a dereliction of duty and a signal to the international community that Britain isn't serious about ridding the world of nuclear weapons. 

 

"Time and again ministers say that they are in favour of multilateral disarmament, yet when presented with an opportunity to show leadership they have shamefully boycotted the talks. The UK must seize it and work to make a success of it. The alternative is spiralling nuclear proliferation, massively increased danger and the ratcheting up of tensions between nuclear weapons states. For all our futures, we urge Theresa May to sign the treaty and to make these mostrous weapons history."

 

ENDS

 

[1] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-4901580/UN-chief-open-signin...