Latest news with #LiamFox
Morocco World
02-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
UK Politicians Celebrate London's Newfound Western Sahara Position
Rabat – UK parliamentarians and politicians celebrated their country's newfound position, supporting Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara. Liam Fox, former Secretary of State for International Trade, celebrated the UK's position, saying on X that the country 'has finally grasped that the Moroccan initiative on Western Sahara is the only game in town and caught up with our American and some European allies.' Fox, a staunch supporter of Morocco's autonomy plan and territorial integrity, also called on UK allies to join the growing support and momentum in favor of the Moroccan cause. 'Now it is time to maximise the opportunity and to call on all UK allies, including our Commonwealth partners, to join us in the liberating quest,' he wrote. MP Joe Powell echoed the same sentiment, noting that he felt pleased to see the UK taking this significant step. 'As Chair of Labour Friends of Morocco I am really pleased to see this significant step forward in the UK-Morocco partnership,' the MP wrote, citing this country's support for Morocco's autonomy plan as well as the opportunities this move will unlock for London. The UK made its historic announcement on Sunday during Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Rabat. 'The UK has chosen to endorse autonomy within the Moroccan state as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a mutually-agreed and lasting solution to the Western Sahara dispute, one that can deliver on our commitments to conflict resolution in the region and self-determination for the people of Western Sahara,' Lammy said . Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander also celebrated the news, stressing the importance of Morocco as an important ally in different sectors, including trade. 'Morocco is becoming an increasingly important trade and investment partner for the UK,' Alexander said, noting that UK companies are already securing major commercial wins in Morocco. Prior to the official announcement, many politicians have been urging their government to follow in the steps of the US and France to reinforce ties with Morocco and recognize its territorial integrity. In 2024, over 30 MPs and Peers urged the timely recognition of Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most credible and serious framework to end the dispute. MPs and politicians from the country have frequently echoed the same demand on social platforms and international forums, while pointing out the security threats posed by Polisario in the region under Algeria's support. Algeria, which harbors Polisario in Tindouf camps and supports their separatism claims to challenge Morocco's territorial integrity, responded to the UK's position in a statement that signals Algeria's isolation amid growing support for the Moroccan territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. On Sunday, Algeria's regime said it regrets the UK's newfound position, claiming that the Moroccan autonomy initiative has 'never been presented to the Sahrawis as a basis for negotiation, nor has it ever been taken seriously by the successive UN envoys to this post.' The claims come amid growing support from at least 113 countries that support the Moroccan autonomy initiative, describing it as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute. Tags: Algeria and the Western Saharaautonomy plan
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Such a shame Fox is to leave' & 'get VAR in bin'
We asked for your views on Hearts' end-of-season victory at what you had to say:Alistair: Definitely not a memorable season, but four victories in a row at the end speaks volumes about Liam Fox. I think he needs to be given lots of credit and he didn't deserve the decision by the board to remove him from the club altogether. I understand the new manager will bring his own men in, but surely a place could have been found for Get VAR so far into the bin. To overturn the referee's initial decision of a free-kick to Yan Dhanda then send him off for a challenge that wasn't a challenge was ludicrous. After that it felt good to snatch the three points in a fairly meaningless game on a horrible Not a great game to be fair and why Dandara decided to keep his foot in is beyond me, pressure of being at a bigger club maybe. Hopefully new manager comes in and clears a lot out and brings in fresh faces because some of these players are really not worth a wage. Bad season all round and the board really do need to look at themselves I am afraid. They have carried out a lot of good things but have certainly left a lot to be desired on the managers they have brought in. Good luck to the departing interim manager and I really hope he gets a gig somewhere good because he has been good for If it wasn't for the Neil Critchley experiment we would have been comfortably in the top half. Tippy-tappy passive football will get you nowhere in the SPFL. We ended up just a couple of points from A very poor season and such a shame Fox is too leave the club, he deserved to be kept on in some role. Hopefully next season will be more stable and we all have something to look forward too.
Scotsman
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts exit brings emotional press conference as Lawrence Shankland future discussed
Jambos sign off with win ahead of huge change Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Interim boss Liam Fox welled up with tears as he reflected on his 'pride' at leading Hearts to four straight wins before departing his boyhood club as they prepare to confirm Derek McInnes as their new manager on Monday. With McInnes set to bring his own backroom staff with him from Kilmarnock, it was announced on Saturday that Fox – a childhood Jambo who started both his playing and coaching career at Tynecastle – would leave the Edinburgh club after Sunday's match at Killie. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 41-year-old former Dundee United boss returned to Hearts as B team coach in 2023 before stepping up to become first-team coach under Neil Critchley and then taking the reins on an interim basis for the second time this season following the Englishman's sacking last month. Liam Fox, right, took charge of Hearts for the last time. | SNS Group Fox was humbled at having his name sung by supporters after Stephen Kingsley's 89th-minute strike secured a 1-0 win over Killie at Rugby Park for his 10-man side, who had Yan Dhanda sent off in the first half for catching Stuart Findlay's ankle with his studs. 'Huge pride,' he said when invited to sum up his emotions. 'At this moment in time, I'm over the moon for the four victories. Obviously, my time here is coming to an end, so that's naturally disappointing. 'But I think in life you've always got two ways to look at things. I can be really disappointed and really bitter, or I can be really, really thankful for the opportunity, for the learnings, for having the responsibility to lead the football club. I'm choosing to look at it in a positive frame. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm delighted to be able to pass it to the next manager in hopefully a wee bit better place than it was three weeks ago.' Fox 'disappointed' to be leaving Hearts Asked if he was disappointed at not being part of the new managerial team at Tynecastle, Fox – who feels he has become a more 'refined' operator since being sacked by Dundee United just over two years ago – said: 'Listen, I'm disappointed to be leaving. But I feel I can add value to anybody. 'And instead of being disappointed and being bitter about it, we'll move on, we'll see what comes up. I'm excited to see what's next, whatever that may be, wherever it may be.' Talismanic Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland was given a standing ovation from supporters as he was substituted in the second half, with his future still undecided. 'I don't want to answer questions on behalf of Lawrence,' Fox said. 'What I will say is, if it is his last game, he's been brilliant for this football club.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As Fox's final press conference was about to conclude, he paused momentarily as his emotions got the better of him, stopping him being able to fully express his sentiments before he left the Rugby Park media room. 'I'd just like to thank the supporters. I felt they helped us through. Massive thanks to them,' he said. Stephen Kingsley celebrates scoring the winner for Hearts against Kilmarnock. | SNS Group Killie under-18s coach Chris Burke stepped into the breach on Thursday after it was decided that McInnes would not take charge of the team against Hearts ahead of his move to Tynecastle. The interim boss was disappointed his side were hit with a late 'sucker punch'.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Kilmarnock 0-1 Hearts: Have your say
Ten-man Hearts clinched seventh place in the Scottish Premiership after Stephen Kingsley's late strike at Kilmarnock earned a fourth successive win under caretaker manager Liam did you make of that, Hearts fans? How do you feel about Liam Fox departing the club?Was it a fitting end to the season?Let us know your thoughts here.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Kilmarnock 0-1 Hearts: What Fox said
Hearts interim head coach Liam Fox told BBC Scotland: "I'm thrilled for the players, staff, supporters. We understand it's been a disappointing season overall. I'm hoping those four wins on the bounce sends them away feeling a wee bit better."I actually asked the fourth official what was going on and he thought it was a Kilmarnock player they were looking at. When Yan received the red, there was confusion int he dugout. I've not seen it back."It was another thing thrown at us today. Zander Clark came off injured, Ryan Fulton was injured second half. The players deserve huge credit for finding a way to win in what wasn't a good game."I'm naturally disappointed to be leaving the football club, but I tell the players all the time you've got a choice of what you do off a disappointment."I can choose to be angry or upset, but I'm choosing to be thankful and positive about the opportunity and the learnings. This experience will make me a better coach, manager, and person."
