Author: Pulse Assent

Mark Field, Minister for Asia and the Pacific, said:

The British government is dismayed to learn of the dissolution of Cambodia’s main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). This effectively renders Cambodia a one-party state in its parliament and delegitimises next year’s General Election.

We renew our calls for the release of CNRP President, Kem Sokha, from detention. We shall consider with partners what further steps we shall take in response to this disturbing development.

Further information

• Foreign Office Minister Mark Field @MarkFieldUK
• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

Home Secretary Amber Rudd and the Minister of the Interior of France, Gérard Collomb, met in London today (Thursday 16 November). They discussed a range of home affairs matters including joint efforts to fight terrorism, illegal migration, border security and efforts to tackle serious and organised crime.

The ministers emphasised the need to maintain and strengthen bilateral cooperation on security and law enforcement co-operation. On counter-terrorism they reinforced their commitment to the British-French action plan to ensure the internet is not used as a safe space for terrorists. The ministers recognised that the internet companies are making progress, but committed to push them to go further and faster in taking down terrorist material online – in particular to ensure it is removed within one to two hours of upload – and to continue to develop technical solutions to tackle the issue.

On migration, the ministers discussed the situation in Northern France and the challenges linked to illegal migration. The ministers acknowledged the importance of UK support in reinforcing the security arrangements in coastal cities of Northern France and the need for continued efforts to manage jointly the shared border between the UK and France. The UK and France will also explore ways of improving cooperating on efforts in countries of origin and transit in Africa and Asia.

Minister Collomb also visited Brixton Police Station to see the work of the Metropolitan Police.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd and the Minister of Interior Gérard Collomb are committed to continued close and constructive cooperation between the UK and France on these issues and to preparing together for the Franco-British Summit to be held in January 2018.

Ms Joanne Lomas has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Rwanda, and Non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi in succession to Mr William Gelling OBE, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Lomas will take up her appointment during January 2018.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Joanne Lomas

Married to: Christopher Finucane

Children: One daughter

2015 – present	Windhoek, British High Commissioner
2011 – 2015	Sarajevo, Deputy Head of Mission
2009	FCO, Head, Global Response Centre
2008	FCO, Team Leader, FCO Response Centre
2006 – 2008	FCO, Internal Communication Team Leader & Leadership Conference Project Manager
2001 – 2006	Geneva, UK Mission to the UN, Second Secretary
1997 – 2000	Damascus, Third Secretary
1997	Baghdad UNSCOM, Press Officer/Special Assistant to the Director
1995 – 1997	Arabic language training
1993 – 1995	FCO, Desk Officer, United Nations Department

Further information

• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn