Letter sent by Stephen Green, National Director of Christian Voice, to His Excellency Alexander Vladimirovich Yakovenko at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in London on 31st January 2017 apologising for the ”ship of shame’ remarks made by Michael Fallon.
Sir Michael described Admiral Kuznetsov as a ‘ship of shame’ as it sailed through the English Channel. The UK does not have an operational aircraft carrier. Mr Fallon said the British navy was keeping a ‘close eye on the Admiral Kuznetsov as it skulks back to Russia.’ He described the vessel a ‘ship of shame whose mission has only extended the suffering of the Syrian people’.
Text of Letter:
Apology for Comments made by Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon MP
Your Excellency,
I lead a UK-wide prayer and action ministry involving itself in British current affairs. We publish a monthly newsletter, a copy or two of which is enclosed. We also have a web presence at www.christianvoice.org.uk and a YouTube channel, ChristianVoiceUK.
I was astonished and distressed by comments made by the UK Defence Secretary Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon MP last Wednesday as the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov steamed through the English Channel en route to Russia.
Sir Michael said the British navy was keeping a ‘close eye on the Admiral Kuznetsov as it skulks back to Russia.’ He described the vessel a ‘ship of shame whose mission has only extended the suffering of the Syrian people.’
I should like to assure Your Excellency that there are those of us in the United Kingdom who recognise Admiral Kuznetsov helped liberate eastern Aleppo from jihadists. We are thankful that Russian planes supporting the Syrian army allowed Christians there to celebrate Christmas for the first time in five years. We are aware that peace talks have been taking place between the Syrian government and the armed opposition. We can see that has only happened because of Russian involvement in a crisis initiated at least partly by the United Kingdom.
For those reasons, Your Excellency, please allow me to apologise for the rudeness shown by Sir Michael and to assure Your Excellency that while these may represent the views of some in the MOD and Foreign Office who cannot adapt their view of the world to the ending of the Cold War, they do not represent the views of ordinary people in the United Kingdom.
I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Your Excellency’s obedient servant,
Stephen Green, M.A., National Director, Christian Voice
