You side with the Tories, youve slept with the devil. They were understood to include the 14m Bow Street site in Moss Side, along with a 6m school renovation project at Southern Cross primary in Chorlton. The human rights organisations called on the UAE authorities to provide independent medical examinations of the detainees who claimed to have been tortured, exclude from the proceedings any evidence obtained by torture, and carry out a prompt investigation. They argue that the super-capitalist development has been done without sufficient consultation and is a departure too far from traditional Muslim values, that the ruling family is notaccountable for how the country's money is spent, and that freedom is too limited. Mubarak is the chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, a strategic government body responsible for advising on Abu Dhabi's international image. HMRC revealed that it was investigating the tax payments, reportedly agreed to accept a 16.4m fine and a suspended jail term, to settle tax evasion charges that he denies. The Premier League rejected that proposal but says it does ask the government about owners and will have been told that the UAE is a trusted ally. Something went wrong, please try again later. "The UAE judicial system ensures that the rule of law prevails and that no person is above the law," the Ministry of Justice said in a statement. 5'(4I'zh4,l+!{E9. It is also aware of the hypocrisy that exists in football, mindful of the fact that Real Madrid was, one of seven Spanish clubs ordered to repay tens of millions of euros of state aid. Sir Richard Leese: Manchester City Council boss to quit after 25 years 8 September 2021 Getty Images Sir Richard Leese was elected to the city council in 1984 The leader of Manchester City. Such a shift in six weeks time would bring to an end Labours longest continuous period in power since the second world war. English football has been warned it has allowed one of its major clubs to be exploited as a "branding vehicle" by an international regime accused of human rights abuses after a trial in Abu Dhabi, a country ruled by Manchester City's owner and his brothers, was widely denounced as repressive, involving torture, and "fundamentally unfair". ", This condemnation of the UAE for a crackdown on citizens criticising the ruling regime is relatively recent. He did not respond when contacted by the M.E.N but is said to be challenging the decision. It made me cry when I read the report, said Jayne Casey, one of the citys most influential cultural figures. A few weeks later, the city was targeted by a suicide bomber who killed 22 people at a concert in Manchester Arena. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The trial before the Manchester Parish Court started last year. An alliance of seven emirates made in 1971, the UAE's native Emirati people have generally been considered content with their stable and wealthy way of life. A report to the Labour-run council said while government funding for 2022/23 was . %PDF-1.4 In London on 16 July, a fortnight after the 69 defendants were convicted in the UAE, the crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed, was in London, meeting Philip Hammond, the British defence secretary, to discuss "co-operation between the two countries pertaining to military and defence affairs." The wider criminal investigation is ongoing with Liverpool braced for further revelations. The Cunard building, on the Liverpool waterfront, is home to the city councils administration. A council spokesman said: We are carrying out an internal investigation into allegations made about a council officer. Mr Burke refused to comment on the allegations. When David Silva, Sergio Agero and Yaya Tour weave their patterns in the Etihad Stadium, the hoardings around the pitch beam "Visit Abu Dhabi, Travellers Welcome" to the 200 countries where Premier League football is viewed a great global advert. No. Elliot was also found guilty of three counts of engaging in transactions that involved criminal property. One of the most persistent, Ahmed Mansoor, was kept in jail for eight months before being sentenced to three years in prison for criticising the regime. Something went wrong, please try again later. Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. The governments damning verdict on Liverpool city council was summed up by a single word on the front page of the local newspaper: Failed., The feeling of many Liverpudlians was one of shame, anger and betrayal. In an interview with the Guardian in 2009, Mubarak said of the running of City: "This is telling a lot to the world about how we are. The 48-year-old outlined he had concerns upon Casemiro's arrival but the Man United ace has since quelled his fears. "Therefore anyone can resort to the public authorities to report assault, request protection, or claim compensation and ensure that any person committing any offence or felony is punished under law.". It could slash the number of councillors by two-thirds, from 90 to 30, potentially tilting the balance of power away from Labour for years to come. Three former officials at the Manchester Municipal Corporation and two of their co-accused have been convicted for their roles in a fraud scheme that fleeced the local government authority approximately $400 million. Global Edition. Only a minority of the UAE population has any kind of vote, the ruling families have been in charge for centuries, and in 2013 it remains a crime to criticise the rulers, belong to a trade union or form any organisation not licensed by the regime. Ann Marie Grainger, Parish Judge, speaking today while delivering the verdict via live audio stream. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. They have grown accustomed to the suggestion that owner Sheikh Mansour's spending spree over the past 10 years has devalued their on-field achievements and enabled them to buy success. It is unlikely that many of the Manchester City fans who attended the club's match against Shakhtar Donetsk will have been too concerned about a third day of revelations and leaked emails published by German news magazine Der Spiegel. As our inquiries at a very early stage, we are not in a position to release any further information., A source added: Were confident we run a clean ship which is why were really pleased that people have been comfortable enough to come forward, meaning an investigation is now taking place., A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: GMP is investigating allegations made about a council officer. The people of Liverpool deserve better we might not like our politicians but we need to be able to trust them, he said on Friday. last month, the accusations which have also been referred to police are understood to involve multi-million pound building projects contracted to the GB Group by the council. The two great Manchester football clubs emerged from this industrial tumult and social progress; United formed with the approval of employers at the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1878, City two years later by Anna Connell, vicar's daughter at St Mark's church, Gorton, part of an effort to provide some decent recreation in the toughest of neighbourhoods. Lucy Powell, Labour MP for Manchester Central, tweeted that he was "the giant of local government and local leadership". In Manchester at the "Peterloo Massacre" of 1819, 11 people were killed and 600 injured by cavalry when attending a speech by Henry Hunt, a campaigner for adults to have the vote. VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Its heartbreaking to see what they did with that opportunity.. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. On 2 July, at the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi, 69 of the 94 were found guilty of plotting to overthrow the regime. A Manchester council spokesman said: Terry Burke, head of corporate technical services, has been dismissed by Manchester city council. The keenly watched hearing lasted over 4 hours today. stream Littleborough community choir, Chorley Old Road closed after car crashes into electrical box, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, The family of Manchester City's owner Sheikh Mansour rule Abu Dhabi, the dominant state in the United Arab Emirates. He was deputed from his duties for Sheikh Mohammed to run City shortly after Mansour bought the club, to shape a more dignified direction after the initial frenzy of media coverage which was all about money and considered detrimental by the Abu Dhabi establishment. Trusted News Discovery Since 2008. Sibblies has also been found guilty of conspiracy to defraud. A building firm is helping with a council corruption probe following the suspension of a town hall boss. Glittering drama based on the audacious Brinks-Mat security depot heist, A corrupt copper and a Leeds gangster are bound together by decades of dishonesty. The hearing to hand down a verdict in the 4-hundred million-dollar fraud scheme was streamed live today with Parish Judge, Ann Marie Grainger delivering the judgment. Judge Grainger says based on inference, it was concluded that Mrs. Elliot knew the property and items she obtained were purchased with cash derived from the criminal conduct of her husband. Throughout May and June, the task force identified a number of . A senior town hall manager has been suspended amid claims of corruption. The owner has still been to only one match in five years, instead watching his team's ascent on television, but the City supporters long ago made clear their feelings about the Abu Dhabi ownership. A massive fraud scheme spanning some three years at the Manchester Municipal Corporation has this afternoon resulted in the conviction of 5 persons including former local government officials. With their team the reigning Premier League champions, top of the league, and known for playing some of the best football that the English game has seen, most City supporters will refuse to allow allegations that their club deceived Uefa over financial fair play (FFP) rules to detract from pride in their club. Amnesty and HRW have stated that they believe torture is "a systematic practice" in Abu Dhabi and UAE state security jails, and that complaints that these men were tortured, including to extract confessions, have not been investigated. Test yourself with these 12 questions, Do you know your local leaders from your Manchester suburbs? Elliots wife Tasha-Gaye has also been found guilty. Its city council is composed of 96 councillors, three for each of the 32 electoral wards of Manchester. Its a city that was standing on the world stage. In 1999, after 14 years on the Dallas City Council, Lipscomb was indicted and convicted on 65 counts of bribery, including . Terry Burke, Manchester town hall's head of corporate technical services, was suspended on full pay in. But given the new claims and details, most of which Uefa are unlikely to have been aware of originally, doing nothing will make it look weak, especially when City always maintained they had acted within the regulations. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Nobody has been suspended as a result. Another landmark of Mancunian pride is the city's struggle for workers' rights, the first meeting of the Trades Union Congress having been held in Manchester in 1868. A team of Whitehall commissioners has been sent to oversee large parts of the dysfunctional council for at least three years an unprecedented step for a city its size while Labour has ordered an investigation into what went wrong. Only last month HMRC revealed that it was investigating the tax payments of 171 players, 44 clubs and 31 agents. Former [] Mr Burke, from Worsley, Salford, was suspended from his post at the start of July. Man United were heavily linked with a move for Dutch attacker Cody Gakpo prior to his move to Liverpool in January. The council is controlled by the Labour Party and led by Bev Craig. The five are expected to be sentenced on Monday, July 27. The Premier League club, though, have unquestionably become the most prominent global projection of Abu Dhabi itself, sponsored by four state-owned companies: the airline Etihad, the telecommunications company Etisalat, the investment company Aabar and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Creating a new men's skincare product leads to a sticky situation in Lord Sugar's boardroom With their team the reigning Premier League champions, top of the league, and known for playing some of the best football that the English game has seen, most City supporters will refuse to allow, allegations that their club deceived Uefa. Eighteen months ago, the Independent newspaper claimed that City was making millions of pounds from image rights deals, three years after saying they were forfeiting that income to secure a lump sum to help comply with the FFP rules. Federal corruption cases. Judge Grainger over the period reviewed the Crowns allegations and case and the defendants unsworn statements. Amnesty said the trial showed "a deeply flawed judicial system" at odds with the "global image the UAE likes to project of itself as an efficient, forward-thinking country, which in many ways it is". Sir Richard Leese was elected to the city council in 1984, Sir Richard (right) joined Mayor Andy Burnham in criticising the government's lockdown measures in October, Sir Richard helped oversee the transformation of East Manchester, which is home to Manchester City. "All men are. ", On 17 July, Katherine Dine, a British government official, wrote to Rori Donaghy, campaign manager at the UK-based Emirates Centre for Human Rights, which is pressing the case of the convicted. Councilwoman Melissa Hardy . Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Nelson's 97th-minute stunner gives Arsenal victory, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78. A council chief has been sacked following an investigation into alleged corruption. The clean-up operation began when, shortly after joining the council in 2018, Reeves received two formal complaints and ordered an internal investigation. La Liga's condemnation of City and PSG will therefore be viewed in that context. Nor will claims - however concerning - that executives ignored internal warnings about the reputational risk of striking a sponsorship deal with a Dubai-based construction company accused of mistreating migrant workers, and that a director sought to delay a response to a Freedom of Information request from a respected human rights expert over a commercial deal with the city council, have spoiled the fans' enjoyment of yet another convincing victory. The city has improved since the 80s but were slipping back. Its findings led Merseyside police to launch Operation Aloft, under which 11 people have been arrested over allegations ranging from fraud to witness intimidation. The City Council's constitution describes the four basic elements through which the council operates: the Council, the Executive, Overview and Scrutiny, and the Committees. Visit our website at www.manchester.gov.uk The seven accused were before the courts answering to 25 counts in total. The reconstruction has been done with a care to appreciate the fans' loyalty through City's long-suffering years and to celebrate the club's heritage and former players in ways no previous Manchester owners ever managed. The revelations are likely to anger the fans and owners of smaller teams from the likes of Eastern Europe that were excluded from Uefa competitions over other breaches. LONDON (AP) - Manchester City is now a tainted champion. Theyre toxic, even today. 139. There is almost a personification of the values we hold as Abu Dhabi, with the values of the club and the values we would like to stick to. These included the Manchester Arena bombing and being "side-by-side" lobbying the government over proposed coronavirus restrictions, he said. Beth Abbit, editor of the M.E.N's Mancunian Way newsletter, puts readers to the test, Tragedy as woman, 31, dies on way home from work as nightclub shot girl, Kelsey Stuttard, from Cheadle, suffered catastrophic injuries in the 3am smash, 'Hold my hands up' - Graeme Souness admits he got it wrong about Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez, The Argentinian was picked apart following defeat at Brentford but has since been a revelation in red, 'I witnessed my first murder aged 11 and I was stabbed and left for dead - now I fight gang culture', Mark, from Moss Side, became a victim himself after leaving prison for armed robbery. For a city that remains fiercely anti-Tory, there was barely a ripple of opposition to the intervention by Boris Johnsons government. The BBC has not been able to verify the leaked emails published by Der Spiegel, and City have refused to comment, beyond saying that the documents are "purportedly hacked or stolen" and an "organised attempt" to smear the club. The 94 were tried on charges of plotting to overthrow the UAE government, which remains adamant this was proven against the 69 convicted. "The mistreatment described in the letters is consistent with other allegations of torture at UAE state security facilities," the statement said, "and indicates that torture is a systematic practice at these facilities". achieving an annual profit in each of the past four years of accounts, developing a respected youth system, and regenerating parts of east Manchester. Councilman David Mann's "Commission to Clean Up City Council" might not get at the core of the corruption crisis at City Hall. Elliot and his co-conspirators Harris and Roberts were also found guilty of an act of corruption. Der Spiegel should be applauded for its brilliant and important journalism. This decision is subject to an ongoing appeal.. A spokesman for GB Group, said: As soon as we were informed of Terry Burkes suspension, we offered to assist Manchester council with their investigation. Earlier this year, Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly agreed to accept a 16.4m fine and a suspended jail term to settle tax evasion charges that he denies. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Michael Parkinson, an honorary professor at the University of Liverpool who has written extensively about the citys history, said it was a very challenging, depressing moment and that there was a real risk of reputational damage to all of Liverpool not just the council. He and I have been there together at difficult moments.". 3,198 were here. This despite the club earning praise for the way it has invested 1.45bn of Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth since. in 2016 after the European Commission ruled that preferential loans to the clubs and deals on tax and property constituted illegal government help. The allegations were brought to light by a town hall whistleblower. Yip, a former Labour member who left the party 20 years ago, said he had been shocked by the lack of contrition this week from some of those leading the council over the past five years: Has one of them had the decency to hold their hands up and say sorry? We have known since 2014, when City reluctantly accepted a settlement with Uefa that included a 49m fine (two-thirds of which was suspended and avoided) along with restrictions on their European. Hatton has not commented on his arrest. HRW's previous concerns have centred on low pay and grim conditions for the people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and elsewhere brought to the UAE to build its prestige buildings, and work in domestic service. It is understood that the allegations involve multi-million pound building projects for the city. The Labour-run council has been at the centre of corruption allegations since its head of regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, was arrested in his fourth-floor office of the Grade II-listed Cunard building 15 months ago. You can agree with the principle of FFP or reject it. But anyone expecting City to be kicked out of the Champions League is likely to be disappointed. Others however, may not find it quite so easy to excuse a controversy that is rapidly becoming one of the most serious in the decade of Abu-Dhabi ownership at City, and which threatens to cast a shadow over the dominant force in English football. Mr Burnham said Greater Manchester was "immeasurably stronger" and Sir Richard had "been at the heart of that". In July two lawyers who had defended Ahmed Mansoor in the "UAE 5" trial, Dr Mohamed al-Mansoori and Dr Mohamed al-Roken, were arrested. CINCINNATI Just hours after a third member of Cincinnati City Council was arrested Thursday by federal agents on public corruption charges in a single year, Mayor John Cranley said it's time . Mubarak accompanied Sheikh Mohammed to that meeting. Audit and Risk Management. But crucially, nor have they denied they are genuine. He was also found guilty of two other counts. Pastor and . In this meeting, of a desperate UK economy with Abu Dhabi's fortunes, there is a limit to the UK government's disapproval over allegations of torture and flaws in the UAE legal system. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The political fallout, however, may only just have begun. Manchester council has launched an investigation and called in the police after allegations were made against . As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Other allegations of torture included one detainee saying he was "beaten with a plastic tube all over my body"; another wrote he was tied to a chair and threatened with electrocution. Sir Richard, a former teacher and youth worker, was elected to the city council in 1984. Critics argued it was a restrictive and crude attempt to entrench the status quo, favouring the established clubs with the biggest incomes, and making life difficult for ambitious challengers, contributing to a lack of competition in some leagues. Liverpool council may have squandered up to 100m of public money, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning.