UK will sanction human rights abusers rather than ‘commentate’, says Cleverly

Foreign secretary criticised UK's lack of robust approach at taking action against perpetrators around the world

British diplomats have too often acted as commentators" rather than using leverage against human rights abusers, according to the foreign secretary, who said the culture of his department would shift so that dictators would pay the price".

The UK is set to announce a raft of sanctions against individuals in 11 countries, including Iran, Russia, Mali and Nicaragua, targeting those responsible for acts of torture, sexual violence and the repression of protests.