Brown calls for investigation into Dubai assassination
By Ian Dunt
The prime minister called for an investigation into the murdered a senior Hamas official in Dubai which used the stolen identity of six British citizens.
UK authorities issued the British passports last month, according to reports, but the photos have been changed.
Gordon Brown told London’s LBC 97.3 FM radio station: “We have to carry out a full investigation into this.
“The evidence has to be assembled about what actually happened, about how it happened and why.
“The British passport is an important part of being British and we have to make sure everything is being done to protect it.”
At least five of the Britons whose identities were used by the assassins live in Israel, triggering suspicions that the hit may have been orchestrated by Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.
“I am obviously angry, upset and scared – any number of things,” Melvyn Mildiner told the Reuters news agency.
“And I’m looking into what I can do to try to sort things out and clear my name.”
If the Israel government confirms its involvement in the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a founder of Hamas’ military wing, it could trigger a diplomatic row between the country and the UK, as well as the other European states whose passports were used: Ireland, Germany and France.
Former Liberal Democrat leader and member of the Commons foreign affairs committee Sir Menzies Campbell called for Israel’s ambassador to be summoned to the Foreign Office to answer any allegations.
Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the British Ramadhan Foundation, demanded a full inquiry.
“It is concerning that British passports have been used in the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai allegedly by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad,” he said.
“If these allegations are proven this will be a major breach of international law and the sovereignty of both Dubai and the United Kingdom.
“I urge the British freign secretary David Milliband to begin a full inquiry into the circumstances of these allegations and for tough action to be taken against those that have cloned and misused British passports.
“Whatever our views on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict we can surely come together to urge all sides to respect international law and the sovereignty of both the UK and Dubai.”
The plot to kill Mr al-Mabhouh, who has been chased by Israel for 20 years for his role in the kidnap and murder of two Israeli soldiers, was especially elaborate, as the 11 assassins entered Dubai posing as tourists, complete with wigs and fake beards.
Dubai public prosecutors have issued warrants for ‘premeditated murder’ and are expected to go for a ‘red notice’ from Interpol to go after the fugitives internationally.
The Foreign Office said it was too early to speculate on who may have carried out the identity theft.
