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Seafood allegedly produced using the forced labour of Uyghur people in China may have been sold at Iceland – and could be on sale now at other British supermarkets, according to an investigation.

Iceland told Sky News it no longer had a relationship with the Chinese supplier in question.

Since 2018, the Chinese government is believed to have moved tens of thousands of Uyghurs from their homes in Xinjiang to other parts of China, as part of a “labour transfer programme”.

Human rights advocates say the programme constitutes forced labour, a charge that China has repeatedly denied. The Chinese embassy did not respond to our request for a comment.

An investigation by non-profit journalism organisation The Outlaw Ocean Project – shared with Sky News – has found that nine large seafood companies in Shandong, a province in east China, have received at least 2,000 Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities from Xinjiang – and that many of them supply the UK.

One of those is Shandong Meijia Group, one of the largest seafood processing companies in China.

Workers inside the Yantai Sanko Fisheries plant in Shandong province. Pic: Douyin
Image:
Workers inside the Yantai Sanko Fisheries plant in Shandong province. Pic: Douyin


In 2021, Sky News visited one of the company’s factories in the town of Rizhao, as part of an investigation that revealed details of Uyghur forced labour.

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The company had posted an article on its website showing Uyghurs arriving as part of the “integration of the national family”.

After Sky News sent questions to the company, the article was deleted. A manager at the entrance told our reporting team that there were no Uyghur workers.

But videos posted to Douyin – the Chinese counterpart of TikTok – have been uncovered by Outlaw Ocean and verified by Sky News.

They show Uyghur workers as recently as October 2022, and at another factory as recently as May 2023, at two Meijia Group plants: Meijia Jiayuan and Meijia Keyuan.

Shandong Meijia did not respond to Sky News’s request for comment.

Exhausted Uyghur workers inside plant in 2021. Pic: Douyin
Image:
Exhausted Uyghur workers inside the plant in 2021. Pic: Douyin

The Outlaw Ocean Project reviewed hundreds of pages of internal company newsletters, local news reports, a database of Uyghur testimonies, trade data, and satellite and cell phone imagery to verify the location of processing plants.

They also verified that the Douyin users had initially registered in Xinjiang.

Reporter Ian Urbina throws a bottle with interview questions inside at Chinese squid boat. Pic: The Outlaw Ocean Project/James Glancy
Image:
Reporter Ian Urbina throws a bottle with interview questions inside at Chinese squid boat. Pic: The Outlaw Ocean Project/James Glancy

Interview questions thrown to crew inside plastic bottles

This investigation was produced by The Outlaw Ocean Project, which focuses on human rights and environmental crimes at sea around the world.

Based on over four years of reporting at sea and on land, including on the high seas near North Korea, West Africa, the Galapagos, and the Falkland islands, the investigation was conducted in collaboration with the New Yorker, and derives from reporting and writing from Ian Urbina, Maya Martin, Sue Ryan, Joe Galvin, Daniel Murphy, Jake Conley and Austin Brush.

To chronicle working conditions on Chinese fishing ships, the reporting team boarded vessels at sea and interviewed crew.

When permitted, they boarded vessels to talk to crew, or came alongside them to interview officers by radio.

In many instances, the Chinese ships got spooked, pulling up their gear and fleeing.

When this happened, the team trailed the ships in a small boat to get close enough to throw aboard plastic bottles weighed down with rice, and containing a pen, cigarettes, hard sweets, and interview questions.

On several occasions, deckhands wrote replies, providing phone numbers for family back home, and then threw the bottles back into the water.

The reporting included interviews with their family members, and with two dozen additional crew members.

Iceland hasn’t received products for ‘significant period’

Meijia’s customers include Iceland, and distributors Fastnet Fish and Westbridge Foods Ltd, according to an archived version of their customer list on their website.

Fastnet Fish has said that as a result of the investigation it had terminated its relationship with Meijia. Westbridge Foods did respond to Sky News’s request for comment.

Iceland appeared to admit that Meijia had, at one point, been a supplier – but a spokesperson told Sky News: “We can confirm that Iceland is not, nor has not for a significant period, received any products from such sites.

“It is Iceland’s policy to be able to act responsibly in all commercial and trading activities to establish that the working conditions of people working for, and within the supply chain, meet relevant international standards.”

Asked by Sky News, the supermarket did not explain when or why it stopped receiving products.

It also said it was working with international auditing organisations, such as the Ethical Trading Initiative and Sedex, on the issue of relocation of Uyghurs in China.

Inside Uyghur 'education camp'
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Yantai Sanko Fisheries workers at ‘political education sessions’ at the factory in 2021. Pic: Yantai United Front Work Department

Sainsbury’s ‘working to understand situation’

Uyghur workers were also deployed to other seafood factories run by the Chishan group, a Chinese conglomerate, according to The Outlaw Ocean Project’s research.

The company supplies Lyons Seafoods, which produces branded and private-label seafood for retailers including Sainsbury’s.

Lyons did not respond to Sky News’s request for comment – but its French parent company Labeyrie had previously told the Outlaw Ocean Project that they were “extremely concerned” by the allegations.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson told Sky News: “All of our suppliers have to meet our high ethical and worker welfare standards.

“If we have any reason to believe there is a situation within our supply chains which is in breach of those standards we take immediate action.

“We are working together with our suppliers and wider industry partners to understand the situation and take the most responsible and appropriate next steps.”

Fish shipments bound for Europe usually pass through Rotterdam – where sometimes they are repackaged in different containers – which can add to the difficulty in tracking shipments.

From there, the seafood shipments arrive at UK ports, such as Felixstowe.

A map showing the supply chain of seafood from China to the UK
Image:
A map showing the supply chain of seafood from China to the UK

‘Human trafficking, wage theft and criminal level of neglect’

As part of a four-year-long investigation, the Outlaw Ocean Project may have revealed other abuses connected to China’s vast fishing fleet – including the story of Daniel Daniel Aritonang, a 20-year-old Indonesian who died from the disease Beriberi after suffering abuse on a Chinese vessel.

Daniel Daniel Aritonang
Image:
Daniel Aritonang

Ian Urbina, the director of the Outlaw Ocean Project, told Sky News: “The human rights and labour crimes – you’re dealing with human trafficking, you’re dealing with death by violence, wage theft, blocking of timely access to medical care, criminal level of neglect in the form of Beriberi, people that are essentially deprived of the key nutrients to be able to survive.

“Vessels that go dark and turn off their transponders and they disappear – all these are well documented crimes as well that are in the marine space.”

Chinese fishing vessel
Chinese workers being interviewed on board squid fishing ship. Pic: Ed Ou
Image:
Workers being interviewed on board a Chinese squid fishing ship. Pic: Ed Ou

The group that owned the vessel, Rongcheng Wangda, has denied any wrongdoing and has referred the matter to the China Overseas Fisheries Association for investigation. No criminal case been brought.

Chinese government video claiming to show transfer of workers from Kashgar authorities. Pic: Douyin/Kashgar Media Centre
Image:
Chinese government video claiming to show transfer of workers from Xinjiang. Pic: Douyin/Kashgar Media Centre

“The reality is that because it’s out of sight, out of mind, you know, a lot of that is happening over the horizon, quite literally,” David Hammond, chief executive of the NGO Human Rights at Sea, told Sky News.

“Nobody knows what’s going on. So you then have the issue of enforcement and there is a massive lacuna in the enforcement issue from coastal states and international waters.

“And without enforcement, you don’t have a deterrent effect and without deterrent effect, you have impunity.”

The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open source information. Through multimedia storytelling we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.

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Heathrow puts Jansen on runway as next chairman

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Heathrow puts Jansen on runway as next chairman

The former BT Group chief Philip Jansen is being lined up as the next chairman of Heathrow Airport as Britain’s biggest aviation hub prepares to deliver an expansion costing close to £50bn.

Sky News has learnt that Mr Jansen, who chairs the FTSE-100 marketing services group WPP, is in advanced talks with Heathrow’s board and shareholders about taking on the role.

If the discussions reach a successful conclusion, sources said an announcement could come within weeks.

Mr Jansen is said to have emerged as the frontrunner from a shortlist of candidates compiled by headhunters at Russell Reynolds Associates.

His experience as the boss of BT, a regulated utility, is said to have been key to his selection as the preferred candidate.

Mr Jansen has also run companies including MyTravel and Worldpay.

The appointment of a successor to Lord Deighton, who has held the post for nine years, comes at a critical time for Heathrow.

In August, the airport submitted a revised expansion plan consisting of a third runway costing £21bn, £12bn for a new terminal and stand capacity, and £15bn to modernise the current airport through the expansion of Terminal 2.

The existing Terminal 3 would ultimately be closed.

Read more: Full details of Heathrow’s plans for a third runway revealed

Heathrow handled a record 83.9 million passengers in 2024 and is adamant that a third runway is essential to the growth of Britain’s economy, given the volume of exports which pass through the site.

“It has never been more important or urgent to expand Heathrow,” the airport’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, said in August.

“We are effectively operating at capacity to the detriment of trade and connectivity.

“With a green light from government and the correct policy support underpinned by a fit for purpose regulatory model, we are ready to mobilise and start investing this year in our supply chain across the country.

“We are uniquely placed to do this for the country; it is time to clear the way for take-off.”

Read more from Money:
27 years after conviction, he hopes he’ll still be alive by the time he’s cleared his name
Sidemen partner lands backing from Osborne-led firm
Major milestone in Post Office scandal

The expansion remains opposed by many airlines alarmed by the prospective increase in charges to use the airport, as well

It has, however, been backed by the government, with Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, saying that a third runway “would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected as part of our Plan for Change”.

Heathrow’s next chairman will lead a board dominated by representatives of the airport’s principal shareholders.

Mr Woldbye apologised in May for being asleep during the power outage in March which forced Heathrow’s temporary closure.

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‘Serious questions’ after Heathrow fire

The airport said it would implement the recommendations of a review conducted by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly.

Heathrow’s search for a new chairman comes months after the most significant changes to its ownership structure in years.

Ardian, a French investment group, now owns 32.6% of the company following a series of transactions over the last 12 months.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has also become an investor.

Heathrow has never formally announced Lord Deighton’s intention to step down, other than a disclosure in its annual report in which he wrote:

“In light of the recent changes to the HAHL [Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited] board…the nominations committee…has asked me to extend my appointment for a limited period to help ensure a smooth transition whilst new non-executive shareholder directors become familiar with the business and a new chair is appointed.

“I have therefore agreed to extend my role as chair for a limited period to ensure continuity and stability on the HAHL Board during this period of transition.”

A Heathrow spokesperson declined to comment, while Mr Jansen could not be reached for comment.

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Major milestone in Post Office scandal as first Capture conviction referred to Court of Appeal

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Major milestone in Post Office scandal as first Capture conviction referred to Court of Appeal

The first Post Office Capture conviction has now been formally referred to the Court of Appeal, marking a major milestone in the IT scandal.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) made the decision to refer the case of sub-postmistress Patricia Owen back in July.

Mrs Owen was convicted of theft by a jury in 1998, based on evidence from the faulty IT software Capture.

She was given a suspended prison sentence and fought to clear her name afterwards – but died in 2003.

Capture software was used in 2,500 branches between 1992 and 1999.

More on Post Office Scandal

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The first Capture conviction was sent for appeal in July

It is the first time a conviction based on Capture – the predecessor to the Horizon system at the centre of the wider Post Office scandal – has reached the Court of Appeal.

It comes after Sky News revealed that a damning report into Capture, which could help overturn convictions, had been unearthed after nearly 30 years.

An investigation found the Post Office knew about the report at the time and continued to prosecute sub-postmasters based on Capture evidence.

Mrs Owen’s family submitted an application to the CCRC in January 2024 – her case has now been referred on the grounds that her prosecution was an “abuse of process”.

A ‘touchstone case’ for victims

Lawyers have said that if Mrs Owen is exonerated posthumously in the Court of Appeal, it may “speed up” the handling of others.

The CCRC is also continuing to investigate more than 30 other “pre-Horizon” convictions.

CCRC chair, Dame Vera Baird, also told Sky News in the summer it could be a “touchstone case” for other victims.

Juliet Shardlow, Mrs Owen’s daughter, has been fighting to clear her mother’s name for years.

She told Sky News the family were “so pleased” her case had finally been referred.

“This has been a very long journey for us as a family and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

“It’s just sad that mum isn’t here to see it.

“The good news is that once mum’s case is heard in the High Court, it will pave the way for all the other Capture victims.”

The Post Office has previously said it is “determined that past wrongs are put right and continue to support the government’s work in this area as well as fully co-operate with the Criminal Cases Review Commission”.

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UK suffers blow in bid to become minerals superpower – as it’s snubbed by its own leading firm

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UK suffers blow in bid to become minerals superpower - as it's snubbed by its own leading firm

Britain’s hopes of becoming a critical minerals superpower have been dealt a severe blow after one of its leading companies abandoned its plans to build a rare earths refinery near Hull.

Pensana had pledged to build a £250m refinery on the banks of the Humber, to process rare earths that would have then been used to make magnets for electric cars and wind turbines.

The plant promised to create 126 jobs and was due to receive millions of pounds of government funding.

However, Sky News has learnt that Pensana has decided to scrap the Hull plant and will instead move its refining operations to the US.

Pensana’s chairman, Paul Atherley, said the company had taken the decision after the Trump administration committed to buying rare earths from an American mine, Mountain Pass, at a guaranteed price – something no government in Europe had done.

“That’s repriced the market – and Washington is looking to do more of these deals, moving at an absolute rate of knots,” he said.

“Europe and the UK have been talking about critical minerals for ages. But when the Americans do it, they go big and hard, and make it happen. We don’t; we mostly just talk about it.”

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Can Trump win the mineral war?

The decision comes at a crucial juncture in critical minerals and geopolitics. China produces roughly 90% of all finished rare earth metals – exotic elements essential for the manufacture of many technology, energy and military products.

Last week, Beijing imposed restrictions on the exports of rare earths, prompting Donald Trump to threaten further 100% tariffs on China.

Pensana had been seen as Britain’s answer to the periodic panics about the availability of rare earths. The site at Saltend Chemicals Park was chosen by the government to launch its critical minerals strategy in 2022.

Visiting for the official groundbreaking, the then business and energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “This incredible facility will be the only one of its kind in Europe and will help secure the resilience of Britain’s supplies into the future.”

He pledged a government grant to support the scheme. That grant was never received because Pensana never built its plant.

Read more from Sky News:
Analysis: China’s rare-earth controls
AirPods link to global trade war
Trump threatens extra China tariffs

Paul Atherley and Kwasi Kwarteng at a groundbreaking ceremony for the plant in July 2022. Pic: Pensana
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Paul Atherley and Kwasi Kwarteng at a groundbreaking ceremony for the plant in July 2022. Pic: Pensana

Mr Atherley said he is optimistic about another project he’s involved with, to bring lithium refining to Teesside through another company, Tees Valley Lithium.

But, he said, rare earth processing is far more complex, energy-intensive and expensive, making it unviable in the UK, for the time being.

The decision is a further blow for Britain’s chemicals industry, which has faced a series of closures in recent months, including that of Vivergo, a biofuels refiner based in the same chemicals park where Pensana planned to locate its refinery.

Producers warn that Britain’s record energy costs – higher than most other leading economies – are stifling its economy and triggering an outflow of businesses.

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