In strengthening its foothold and branch based network expansion to accommodate the growing number of businesses and personal customers in Mt Hagen, a new BSP branch will be opened for its Mt Hagen customers in the Dobel area, Western Highlands Province. The new BSP Dobel branch will be the second fully serviced branch that will gain privilege of servicing Western Highlands and its neighboring provinces. It is scheduled to commence construction this year, 2022, and commissioned before the end the of the year. The new BSP establishment will be a double - storey, fully suited modern banking facility that will have a mass market-banking chamber, premium branch, 4 ATMs, and will also house the Mt Hagen BSP Life subsidiary branch with secured car parking area for customers. BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming announced this architectural plan saying, “the building will be a great new home for our team of mass market banking officers, businesses and corporate banking specialists.” “It will be fitted with a range of banking sections for our customers, including the Premium chamber for our priority customers, Western Union for overseas transactions, Lending for loan customers, SME for small businesses, and, customer service and general enquiries.” “Our customers play a major role in shaping the new format branch. The furnishings and design of the facilities are fully oriented toward people’s needs. We aim to offer all banking services to accommodate our customers’ banking needs. This may also help in cutting long banking queues, waiting time, and smooth service delivery,” says Fleming. He added that: “along with expanding full-fledged branch-based network expansion, BSP is also currently reviving its banking agents and sub-branch-based network expansion. This is part of the bank’s initiative to bring banking services to the doorsteps of communities to minismise expenses and safe banking.” Fleming also confirmed that BSP is also planning to open its sixth branch in Eriku this year, 2022 in Lae, Morobe Province to continue better serve the residents and people of Morobe province. The bank recently opened a few new sub-branches including Konos, Namatanai, Koroba Hybrid Branch and Palmalmal sub-branch to strengthen its foothold in the respective communities. BSP Group branch network currently operates with 78 branches, 40 sub branches, 300 agents, 554 ATMs and 11,033 EFTPoS across the South Pacific.

Forty nine (49) students from schools in Porebada and Papa villages learned coding and droning through the ExxonMobil PNG’s Science Ambassador Program in partnership with PNG Flying Labs late last year. The program was delivered by PNG Flying Labs during the third term school holiday. PNG Flying Labs is a local NGO with over 10 years of experience working with organizations and institutions including school children to deliver tailored coding and droning programs. “It was a great experience working and learning from the students from the Motu-Koitabu villages. The students displayed their artistic abilities, transforming simple circles into an animated coronavirus and white blood cell computer game plus simple squares into robots for a chatbot program. The fun part was that these bots not only spoke English but also the Motu and Koitabu local languages,” explained Sophia Soli of PNG Flying Labs. The program’s COVID-19 themed activities allowed the students to learn about COVID-19, hygiene, team work, critical thinking and problem solving. ExxonMobil PNG’s Science Ambassador Program, started in 2013, is an education advocacy program that encourages staff to volunteer their time to share and impart knowledge, expertise and experience. Five EMPNG staff volunteered their time to engage and mentor students during the program. Speaking at the closing of the program at Papa Junior High School, ExxonMobil PNG Public and Government Affairs Planning and Controls Manager, Diana Sigimet, thanked the students for participating. “We hope that through the program you are inspired and motivated to consider science, technology, engineering and math-focused careers,” she added. The program encouraged the head boy of Redscar High School, Raka Oa, to pursue his dream of becoming a civil engineer after listening to ExxonMobil PNG’s Science Ambassador Ginisegana Solien’s story of being a civil engineer. “Many of us don’t have experience with computers. This program has given us the opportunity to learn about technology and how to do coding. Such an opportunity would never have been possible without the ExxonMobil PNG Science Ambassador Program,” he explained Wendy John of Papa Junior High School wants to be a scientist, and used the coding skills she learned to create an educational computer game for her younger sister. “Having the ability to create something yourself and for it to speak in the local Papa vernacular was inspiring,” she said excitedly. Teachers at Porebada and Papa schools who assisted during the program were encouraged by the students’ motivation and passion during the program. Most students had never used a computer prior to participating in the activity. “We think of coding as something you do in university, but giving kids hands-on experience with coding can help open their eyes to a wider world of possibilities,” said Sam Kumbundu, a Year 8 teacher at Papa Primary School. The program ran at Redscar High School in Porebada and at the Papa Junior High School in Papa. Grades 6 – 10 students from Redscar High, Porebada Primary, Papa Elementary and Papa Junior High Schools participated in the program.

THE Commissioner of Police and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response issued 10 new pandemic measures which come into effect tomorrow, Wednesday February 16, 2022. The key changes to the measures are mainly in the international and domestic travel and social measures. For international travel: 1. Tourists may now travel to PNG; 2. Pandemic Approvals are no longer required to enter PNG; 3. All persons must be fully vaccinated to travel to PNG, unless they are under 18 years of age or are a citizen of Papua New Guinea. A person is considered fully vaccinated if they have had the recommended number of doses for the vaccine as listed in Schedule 2, within the past 6 months; or they have had the recommended number of doses for the vaccine, as listed in Schedule 2 and they have had a booster vaccine; 4. All persons travelling to PNG must have a valid COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their original port of departure. Children aged 5 years and under are exempted from being tested; 5. All people arriving into PNG will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival; 6. If a person has within the last three months tested positive for COVID-19, a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner from their country of departure, certifying that the person is no longer infectious for COVID-19 shall be accepted but the individual must still be tested prior to leaving their port of departure within 72 hours and be tested on arrival; 7. There shall be no quarantine for any person, except for persons who test positive on arrival who shall be quarantined for 7 days; and 8. It is the responsibility of travel operators to make sure that a person has the necessary documents to board an aircraft/vessel to travel to PNG. For domestic travel: · No person may fly if they are symptomatic for COVID-19; · All travelers must have their temperature checked by airline staff and no person may travel if their temperature registers at or over 37.5C (except for medivac and emergency flights); and · All passengers must complete a National Department of Health form which is to be submitted to the Provincial Health Authority on arrival. Changes to the social measures include: · Public gatherings are restricted to 100 people, however religious gatherings, schools, educational institutions, markets and shopping centers and political gatherings are exempted from the gathering restrictions but must comply with Niupla Pasin; · All organisations, including religious and political organisations must develop standard operating safety procedures for COVID-19; · No sale of alcohol on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nationwide will continue to apply; and · COVID-19 restrictions no longer apply to public transport. The new measures (attached) come into effect on February 16 and will remain in force until the duration of the pandemic or otherwise as decided by the Controller.

The National Airports Corporation has begun implementing a new initiative aimed at improving and increasing its efficiency in delivering aviation security services across national airports in the country. NAC Managing Director and CEO Rex Kiponge said this initiative involves identifying the right people with the right attitude from the outset, refining this group through elimination stages and then taking this core group through an intensive six-weeks training prior to engaging them. “We embarked on this last year at the Port Moresby International Airport, where we conducted walk-in-interviews which was necessary to assess the candidates’ behaviours and attitudes,” Mr Kiponge said. “From over 600 applicants, we selected fifty who commenced their training this year (2022) and are now half way through their six weeks of very intensive training at the Bomana Police Training College outside Port Moresby.” Kiponge said previously NAC had been trying its best to manage the attitude of its officers rather than upskilling them. “So far so good, I’m very impressed. Once completed, this program will be a game changer for NAC in the area of Aviation Security.” The training program includes, intense physical training, armed and unarmed combat training including Hapkido, self-defence tactics and classroom sessions that are intended to build the required physical fitness, instil discipline and positive attitude and impart the right knowledge and skills in implementing security measures at the airport. NAC’s Aviation Security Trainers and Bati Security Services are co-delivering this training and the trainees will graduate after completing the program.

National Airports Corporation presented to a police composite team two pigs together with K10, 000 cash last month for the festive period security operations at Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby. NAC Managing Director Rex Kiponge said festive operation is very important for NAC as they see increased movement of passengers and different types of activities happening and police have been effective in helping us keep Jackson airport secure and safe for the travelling public. The police composite team comprised of officers from Dog Unit, Airport Police, Six Mile Police, and others and were engaged by NAC for three months. Kiponge said in doing this, he wants to strengthen and build its relationship with the Royal PNG Constabulary while also supporting them with incentives for their operations. Currently, NAC is using the RPNGC Bomana Police Training College to train its new aviation recruits and is looking at police engagement in upcoming events including the national general elections. Meanwhile, Eddy Aimondi, team leader of airport police operations said police engagement during the festive period has provided new perspective into policing at the airports and said he is thankful for the opportunity and looks forward to providing similar support in future.

Guard Dog Security Services (GDSS) Lae was a proud recipient of the Category B Most Compliant in Benefit Payments Award at the 4th Annual Nasfund Employer Awards held last month at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby. This award as outlined by Nasfund, is given to employers depending on the amount of benefit payments made to an employee of an employer, the number of retirement savings account payments made to a member and the amount brought over from an RSA account annually by an employer. Chief Financial Officer of GDSS, Mr Wemin Kapia who was present to receive the award said that Guard Dog Security Services Lae continues to be a key financial player within the security industry and as such, remains committed to looking after its’ massive workforce, ensuring that benefits due are paid out in a timely manner and as accurately as much as possible. “Times are very tough and there are many economic challenges we are facing at present but as an employer of choice, our priority is also in looking after our employees as it is because of them that the company is able to keep moving despite of difficulties,” Mr Kapia said. Last year, GDSS Lae had paid out in excess of over K4.6M in benefit payments to its’ employees through the fund managers, Nasfund with most of these payments being processed seamlessly and with minimum process setbacks within the 2021 reporting period. Mr Kapia attributed this success to the hard-working back-office team and expressed his gratitude for the tireless efforts put into ensuring that the company has a clean record with Nasfund and that it continues to exceed contribution targets every year. “I must commend our back-office team, especially the payroll guys because they have been on their A game in the last financial year when it comes to remitting Nasfund entitlements and so this success is due to their hard work and commitment in getting the figures right every time without fail,” said Mr Kapia. Mr Kapia also assured that through these very trying and challenging times, the company will continue to move forward positively and will continue to offer its’ unique security services to its clients both corporate and private and will ensure that they continue to keep the good working relationship with their fund managers, Nasfund. According to the CFO, this is the second time GDSS Lae has scooped up an award at the Nasfund Employer Awards as they were also recipients of the Most Compliant award at the first annual awards hosted in 2018. The Guard Dog Group however has in total 6 companies, all of which are members to the Nasfund and contributing in excess of more than K700 000 per month in member benefit payments.

Over the weekend, the National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) hosted its Leadership Workshop with the objective of finalizing its 2022 strategic objectives and KPIs for roll out during the year. The workshop, themed “Leading In the New Normal” was opened by Board Chairman Charles Vee and attended by executive management and leadership team of the Fund. Commenting on this workshop, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Tarutia reminded staff participants that it was an honour and privilege for them to serve the Fund membership. “Because of members, we all have a job.” The workshop was an annual activity that assisted the Fund leadership to focus on actions that improved the lives of members and grew their long term retirement savings. “Against a difficult operating environment in 2021, the Fund performed quite well. Our audited accounts are now being reviewed by external auditors, before our Board approves an interest crediting rate to our members for the 2021 financial year. While we await these final results, we will continue to work on achieving goals set out in our current 5 year strategy, which ends at the end of 2023. Through our overarching vision of being our members trusted superannuation fund providing quality service and financial security, each Division in the Fund will continue to progress initiatives under key strategic pillars of solutions, engagement, and innovation. To be the Fund of choice and remain the largest fund by membership we revised our strategy to include new offerings such as affordable housing and digital innovation to improve customer experience. We are servants for our members, and our decisions and actions must reflect this at all times. We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that our services are being continuously improved, so that our members are ready for retirement when the time comes.”

After 3 years of waiting the people of Metemana in the Lavongai LLG on Friday 11th February, finally witnessed the grand opening of a four in one classroom for the Ranmana Childhood Centre. This was made possible through a K120,000 grant from the New Ireland Government in 2019 and the sheer determination of the school board and Local teacher Daniel Lasvut. New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan was present to witness the occasion, along with members of the Provincial Executive Council, members of the New Ireland Education board including Chairlady Dr Kappa Malpo and CEO for Education Benson Apelis and a community awareness group from the Matalai LLG. Sir J congratulated Daniel Lasvut and the School board for their persistence in ensuring the project eventually got completed despite the challenges. “Lasvut and the school board stepped forward with tools, skills and the right spirit to invent your children’s future out of your imagination. Your struggle was not in vain,” said Sir J. Two flush toilets, Solar Street lights and a permanent flag pole stand were also erected. “ People of Metemana, this is not wasteful SME giveaways like rice and tinned fish and noodles. This is solid Investment in the foundation for elementary education of our children. You never had this before, now you have it under my Government. This is what we call partnership,” said Sir J. Sir J said the children will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to become smart, and work smart for New Hanover and New Ireland of the future. “People of New Hanover, historically you are very determined, bold and smart people. Your forefathers were some of the history makers of Papua New Guinea. Leaders like Judge Konilio Tomarum, Brigadier General Carl Malpo, Walla Gukguk, Sitting Gion, Ilias Maris, Steven Taong, MaulKara, Maul Karau, Mane Isana and Marius Soiat.” Other notable Lavongai’s were Boski Tom the first Papua New Guinean teacher, Tumat Sogolik Commonwealth boxer and Willie Sep International Soccer star.

The Juha landowners of petroleum development license (PDL) 9 in Hela province want the National Government and Exxon Mobil to start constructing a gas pipeline project to bring it into production of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The landowners today while demanding the government also thanked Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua and the Department of Petroleum & Energy for their stance on clarifying Juha PDL-09 Project not identified yet but missed out on many privileges. Leaders from both Hela and Nomad Local Level Government (LLG) in Western Province want to see the production of their gas resources out of the Juha PDL 9 as they have not yet received any royalty payments. Frustrated PDL 9 Association Chairman Robert Angamane and Sinaku Malingi of Sinali Tribe with other clan leaders demanded to know when Juha gas resources project will be developed, or else the PDL should be revoked and landowners can seek other investment partners to develop the project with Muruk gas discovery. The landowners and their leaders from both sides of Hela and Nomad LLG made the call following Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua’s respond to questions raised by Western Governor Toboi Awi Yoto last month about the PNG LNG project being integrated with different PDL areas and that the pipeline had not been constructed into Juha. Juha PDL 9 was granted license by Government in 2009 to produce gas for PNG LNG project. Unfortunately, this has not happened yet, there is no pipeline into the PDL 9, Juha area. The landowner’s leaders urged Mr. Kua, Secretary David Manau and LOBID Chairman Gai Pobe to come to Koroba and complete the Clan Vetting exercise so landowners can participate in LBBSA and receive the lawful benefits for Royalty and development Levy payments. The landowners further demanded Exxon Mobil to pay compensation for the many lives lost and those living with injuries because Exxon Mobil failed to identify landowners before getting license for Juha. Landowners cited clause 15 of May 2008 Gas Agreement as evidence of negligence by Exxon Mobil and the State that the Agreement was superior to Oil and Gas law of 1998. “Based on the 2009 UBSA Agreement in Kokopo, State and Developer identified that 98% of Juha PDL-09 Gas were part of SHP and 2% in Nomad LLG in Western Province. That was before the separation of Hela Province and Southern Highlands Province, for now we want developer and PNG Government to identify political Boundaries before confusing real Landowners of North Koroba LLG's and Hela Province. “The 98% of Project itself is in Hela Province and not in Western Province,” the leaders claimed. They said the State has failed to honor the UBSA and LBSA Kokopo agreements. “We demanded the National Government to complete the Clan Vetting in accordance with Cabinet Decision of November 2017 and conduct LBBSA forum in Koroba and start paying 100% of our lawful entitlement for Royalty Equity and Development Levy as required under PDL beneficiaries as per Oil and Gas Act of1998,” they reiterated. The Juha 9 landowners say numerous attempts for answers have failed, and the next course of action will be file legal proceedings and hopefully will allow other investors to develop their gas project.

Former NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne has had his sexual assault conviction overturned and is set to face a third trial. The Court of Criminal Appeal on Monday quashed his conviction after he last year applied to the state’s highest court. Mr Hayne, 33, had been in jail for over nine months having been sentenced to at least three years and nine months in prison for the alleged sexual assault of a woman in her Newcastle home on NRL grand final night in 2018. [caption id="attachment_18994" align="aligncenter" width="890"] Jarryd Hayne was in May last year sentenced to spend at least three years and eight months in prison. Photo: Sam Mooy/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images[/caption] A District Court jury in March last year found the former Dally M winner guilty of two counts of sexual assault, accepting the woman’s version of events that he performed digital and oral sex on her without her consent. He was subsequently sentenced by Judge Helen Syme to five years and nine months jail, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months. He launched an appeal against his conviction claiming the NSW District Court jury was given flawed directions and there were inconsistencies in the evidence. [caption id="attachment_18995" align="aligncenter" width="889"] Jarryd Hayne during his playing days with the Parramatta Eels. Picture AAP Image/Darren Pateman.Source: AAP[/caption] His barrister Tim Game argued that the jury was given directions that were “flawed in almost every possible way” before they were sent to deliberate. According to Hayne’s barrister, Judge Syme used words like “might” and “may” when she should have used “beyond a reasonable doubt”. Mr Game also argued before the Court of Appeal that the woman’s words in a text sent to a friend did not accord with her evidence that she repeatedly said “no” and “stop”. The Court of Appeal of Monday quashed his convictions and ordered him to face a fresh trial, with the matter listed to be mention in the District Court on Thursday. SOURCE: FOX SPORTS

The girl in a video that went viral on social media recently, where she was apparently being questioned by a member of the police force, has come forward to the police to give an official statement. ACP Anthony Wagambie Jnr sent out a message on facebook assuring the girl’s safety and appealed to her to come forward which she eventually did last week Wednesday. NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Gideon Ikumu says the girl came to the Boroko Police Station and gave a full statement, adding that her statement implicated a number of policemen. Police are currently in the process of investigating the case and so could not give out much information. NCD Met Supt was able to reveal that the girl had accompanied her female friend to the Sanctuary Hotel for a few drinks. “These girls were picked up at a suburb in Port Moresby by the driver of Jamie Pang and taken to the Sanctuary Hotel in Port Moresby,” said Met Supt Ikumu. “While there at the hotel, they were said to have drank and taken illicit substances with Pang.” “Pang is alleged to have sexually assaulted the girl during the course of these events.” “Thereafter, Pang advised his drivers to take her away so she was taken to Boreboa, where she says Pang’s drivers paid an unknown taxi driver K200, to get rid of her.” “This unknown taxi driver is said to have sexually assaulted the girl as well before ditching her at the Garden Hills settlement.” “The girl found another cab and made her way to the Hohola police station.” “A policeman at the Hohola police station saw that the girl was disoriented and took her to the Town Police Station, where she says, she was also sexually assaulted by yet another policeman.” “The Policeman in town, eventually dropped her off at her place of residence,” stated Met Supt Ikumu. In the video, the girl can be seen, being questioned by a policeman and is heard saying that she was just driven around town and she had never reported the incident of her alleged assault by Pang and a couple of policeman on that night. This incident is said to have taken place in November last year and she was questioned and videoed a few days after her alleged ordeal however, this video surfaced on social media just a few weeks ago. NCD Met Supt Ikumu says the police are yet to find out who released this video on social media. Meanwhile, the girl is currently being protected by police, while they continue their investigations.

Joe Biden on Saturday night warned Vladimir Putin that the US would “impose swift and severe costs on Russia” if his forces invaded Ukraine. In a phone call that lasted more than an hour, the US president said an invasion would “produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia’s standing”. The call was the culmination of a frantic day of diplomatic activity aimed at averting a war in Ukraine, which the US has warned could start as soon as Wednesday. It brought “no fundamental change” to the worsening crisis, according to a senior US official briefing reporters afterwards. The official said the two leaders agreed to stay engaged in the coming days “but Russia may decide to proceed with military action anyway”, adding there was no evidence of “meaningful” de-escalation on the Ukrainian border. In Moscow, Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy adviser, called the conversation between the leaders “balanced and businesslike” and confirmed “the presidents have agreed to continue contacts at all levels”. But he rejected US claims that a Russian attack was imminent. “Hysteria has reached its peak,” Ushakov said. Earlier, Emmanuel Macron held a separate conversation with the Russian president, which was reported to last one hour and 40 minutes, while the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, also spoke to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. Blinken called for “a diplomatic resolution to Russia’s unprovoked military buildup around Ukraine”. Lavrov accused the US of ignoring its security proposals, which include a guarantee that Ukraine would not join Nato and a withdrawal of Nato forces from eastern Europe. The US has said there is a high risk of a Russian attack on Ukraine before the end of the Winter Olympics in China on 20 February, and the CIA is reported to have briefed allies that Russian troops have been ordered to be ready by Wednesday. But Ukraine’s president yesterday hit out at the US for causing “panic”. “I think there’s too much out there about a full-scale war from Russia, and people are even naming dates. The best friend for our enemies is panic in our country, and all this information only creates panic, it doesn’t help us,” said Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who has been saying for weeks that the tone of the US messaging is helping to cause panic and economic pain in Ukraine and is thus playing into Putin’s hands. Zelenskiy was speaking in the Kherson region, where he was observing drills by interior ministry troops. Ukrainian forces began 10 days of training on Thursday, to coincide with Russian exercises in Belarus that have been seen as a key part of Russia’s threatening buildup. [caption id="attachment_18987" align="aligncenter" width="622"] President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, centre, visiting the Kherson region of Ukraine to observe tactical training exercises. Photograph: Irakli Gedenidze/Reuters[/caption] “No one can look into the heads of Kremlin leaders and say for sure what exactly their actions may be. But we are ready for absolutely all scenarios,” said Ukraine’s defence minister, Oleksiy Reznikov. In Moscow, Lavrov denied there were any plans for an attack, saying US warnings were part of a propaganda campaign. “After Russian troops finish drills and return to barracks, the west will declare ‘diplomatic victory’ by having ‘secured’ Russian ‘de-escalation’,” the Russian foreign ministry quoted him as saying, describing it as a “predictable scenario and cheap domestic political points”. Later on Saturday, the US denied it had carried out military operations in Russian territorial waters, after Moscow said a Russian naval vessel chased away an American submarine in Russian waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The Russian defence ministry said it had called in the US defence attache over the alleged incident, but a US military spokesperson said there was ‘“no truth” in the claims. The US and Russia have begun rapid evacuations of their embassies, as has Australia. The US state department said a small number of diplomats would remain in Kyiv to keep channels of communication open with the Ukrainian government, some will pull back to Lviv in the west to provide emergency consular services, while most will be posted in neighbouring countries. “I think prudence requires us to assume to plan for, and prepare for, a worst-case scenario and the worst-case scenario would obviously involve substantial Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital,” a senior state department official said. “These developments mean for private American citizens that it isn’t just time to leave Ukraine – it is past time for private citizens to leave Ukraine,” the official added, stressing that the consular staff were no longer in a position to help private citizens leave. Western intelligence agencies have predicted that a Russian attack would be immediately preceded by a fabricated pretext, such a “false-flag” attack on Russia or the Donetsk and Luhansk regions run by Moscow-backed separatists. Michael Kofman, the director of Russia studies at the Center for Naval Analyses, said Russia could move to formally recognise the Moscow-controlled so-called “people’s republics” in eastern Ukraine. He said this could “offer a basis for Russia to extend security guarantees, and militarily protect those considered to be Russian citizens living in the separatist regions. This may be interpreted as a clause which formally authorises the Russian state to use force in Ukraine.” The Russian Duma is due to consider an appeal to Putin to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics on Monday, although there have been suggestions the hearing may be postponed in a sign Russia is still weighing up various options. Several governments yesterday urged their citizens to leave Ukraine as soon as possible. In the UK, the shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, called on the government to learn “the right lessons” from the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan last summer, which saw frantic efforts to escort British nationals and vulnerable Afghans out of the country. Lammy wrote to Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, on Saturday night calling for a substantial increase in staff with relevant language skills to deal with the crisis, a cross-government crisis centre and a contact line for MPs with urgent constituency cases in Ukraine. “The opposition stands united with the government in the face of Russian aggression and in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” wrote Lammy. “However, following the chaos of the evacuation from Afghanistan, we ask the government for reassurance that the right lessons have been learned. The first duty of any government is to keep its people safe. The government must act now to ensure it is prepared to provide safety for British citizens in case of any incursion.” Melinda Simmons, Britain’s ambassador to Ukraine, said on Saturday that she was staying in the country to “continue to work there with a core team”. She added that the embassy remained open and operational. Dutch airline KLM said it had suspended flights to Ukraine until further notice after a security analysis and in light of Dutch government warnings against travel to Ukraine. A debate around the extent of Britain’s potential involvement broke out this weekend. Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative chair of the defence select committee, described the tensions as “our Cuban missile crisis moment” and called for British-led Nato divisions to be deployed to the country. However, Tom Tugendhat, the Tory chair of the foreign affairs select committee, said that providing training assistance was more useful to Ukraine than the deployment of British troops. He said the country’s own troops were “increasingly capable to defend themselves”. “We’re enabling them to have the ability to fight themselves, and having served in combat in countries around the world I can tell you that training local forces to fight for themselves is a significantly better defensive technique than putting troops in,” he said. “The reality is that the Ukrainians already have some 145,000 in their army, they have another – depending on how you count – 100-odd thousand border guard reserves and people like that so they have a significantly larger army even than we do.” The former foreign secretary, Malcolm Rifkind, said the deployment of a Nato division inside Ukraine would be “very unwise”. Rifkind and Ellwood said that the current instability caused by Boris Johnson’s alleged involvement in Downing Street lockdown parties was undermining Britain’s standing on the world stage. Dominic Cummings, the PM’s former chief adviser and now his fiercest critic, condemned Tory MPs for allowing Johnson to continue in office “while another major global crisis unfolds”. SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN