The UK ambassador to Bahrain's decision to accept an Order of Bahrain award from King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa has sparked a heated debate about the country's human rights record. Alastair Long, who served as ambassador from 2014 to 2017, is understood to have received the honour in recognition of his diplomatic efforts during his tenure. However, critics argue that this move sends the wrong message, given Bahrain's poor track record on human rights, particularly with regards to freedom of speech and association. According to the Foreign Office's guidelines, civil servants are expected to decline foreign awards unless they are formally approved by the relevant authorities.
The award ceremony took place in 2017, but news of it has only recently come to light, sparking renewed concerns about the UK's diplomatic relationships with countries with questionable human rights records. The Bahrain government has faced criticism for its treatment of opposition activists and dissidents, with reports of torture and mistreatment in state custody.
Labour MP Layla Moran described the situation as "utterly appalling" and called for greater transparency around the Foreign Office's award acceptance policies. "This is a classic case of diplomatic expediency being prioritised over human rights," she said. The Bahraini government has denied any wrongdoing, but the incident has raised questions about the UK's approach to engaging with countries that fail to meet international human rights standards.