Stephen has called on the government to suspend the export of British riot gear, teargas, and rubber bullets to the US in light of a violent police crackdown against peaceful civil rights protesters in the country.
In his letter to the International Trade Secretary, Stephen said: “…it has been the policy of successive governments over the past two decades to refuse licences for the export of arms and equipment that might be used for internal repression in the countries to whom they are being sold. I am therefore troubled that exports from the UK may have been used by police in the US to attack people who have gathered – peacefully and unarmed – to protest against George Floyd’s death. “
Labour leader Keir Starmer echoed Stephen’s thoughts when he asked Boris Johnson to review such exports. All major opposition parties have now backed the call.
Government export licence records show that the US is one of the world’s largest buyers of UK arms, with almost £6bn worth licensed for export since 2010. The licences have included £18m worth of ammunition, including so-called “rubber bullets”, smoke and pyrotechnic charges, CS gas grenades, and teargas.
To read the letter, click here.