background note: photo of [redacted]on gov · from [redacted], pakistan & afghanistan dept date...

Memorandum

To [Redacted]

Cc [Redacted], PAD; [Redacted], BHC Islamabad

From [Redacted], Pakistan & Afghanistan dept

Date 12 May 2014

Pages 1

Background note: photo of [Redacted]on gov.uk 1. A member of the British High Commission’s staff uploaded a photograph of a minor,

[Redacted], onto the gov.uk website, to accompany a news story “UK Immigration policy

update - Family migration” dated 2nd August 2013, without authorisation from [Redacted] or

the copyright owner.

2. [Redacted]. A junior [Redacted]member of staff had cleared the text of the posting with

[Redacted], but unfortunately not the attached image, which had been downloaded from the

internet – in fact from the Daily Record website. An FCO press team spokesperson responded to

the Records request for a quotation at the time with “We are extremely sorry. “The photograph

should never have been used in this way.” We have not however yet apologised to the family

directly. A draft letter is attached.

3. [Redacted]took the original and authorised photo of [Redacted], which was used to support

a [Redacted]news story about the case. The subsequent unauthorised use of this photograph

on the gov.uk website has potential copyright infringement issues as [Redacted]was not

consulted before publication.

4. The Press and Public Affairs team in Islamabad have reviewed their procedures, as all staff

engaged in posting information onto gov.uk should be aware of copyright and privacy law.

5. Both MP Anne McGuire (Labour- Stirling) and MSP Bruce Crawford (SNP –Mid Scotland & Fife)

have raised the issue of unauthorised use of [Redacted]photograph on a government website.

[Redacted]also spoke with the photographer [Redacted].

6. We attach a draft letter of apology for [Redacted]; and draft replies for [Redacted]MP and

MSP.

[Redacted] Pakistan & Afghanistan Department [Redacted]

From: [Redacted] Sent: 09 May 2014 05:51

To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: RE: OFFICIAL SENSITIVE: MP CORRESPONDENCE OFFICIAL_SENSITIVE All, Thanks for coming to me on this My understanding of the background is this: when our digital team is asked to publicise updates / news appearing on the websites of other government departments, they create a ‘feature box’ on our web page, where they add a brief intro and an accompanying picture and then a link through to the relevant website and press release. The intro text was routinely cleared by my predecessor, but the team did not routinely clear pictures, because they usually used ones from the FCO’s digital library. On this occasion, they used a picture they found on the internet – the picture at the centre of this issue. This first came to my attention at the beginning of April when the London Press Office contacted me for background. The Daily Record had been in touch with them about the story. As, at that point I knew nothing about it (it happened in August 2013 before I joined the team), I checked with the then [Redacted] here, who was also unaware. I subsequently checked with my team who explained to me what had happened. They were shocked to hear of the consequences of their actions and extremely sorry to have caused such offence and upset. In order to make sure that this never happens again, I revised the process with immediate effect:

- The team now uses emblems / logos instead of pictures when adding such features; - If they use pictures for our press releases, they use them from the stock we have taken in-

house; - They clear drafts through me / [Redacted] before publishing.

I have also reiterated the importance of copyright and that we should never be using any copyrighted images without express and written permission of the owner. Can I just say once again that I apologise unreservedly for the upset and offence this has caused. I’m also copying in [Redacted](Digital Dept) and [Redacted](Press Office), who may be able to add some background. [Redacted]

From: [Redacted] Sent: 04 April 2014 17:40

To: [Redacted] Subject: FW: HC and GOV.UK story problem

[Redacted], this is the updated line.

An FCO spokesperson said:

“We are extremely sorry for the use of this photograph, which, of course, should never have been used in this way. As soon as it was brought to our attention we removed the story from gov.uk and are firmly reminding staff of the need to only publish appropriate material in line with our guidance.”

[Redacted] From: [Redacted] Sent: 04 April 2014 16:52

To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: HC and GOV.UK story problem

Hello [Redacted], Post published this a story in Aug https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/uk-immigration-policy-update-family-migration

There is now some negative media interest. The image used belongs to the Daily Record. (See

attached email from the HO Press Office) In addition there is this blog http://www.freemovemkent.org.uk/home-office-picks-wrong-family-photo-for-campaign/ The Home Office digital team has deleted the story. Can you let us know who published the story, why, and remind publishers that they should not duplicate Home Office (or OGDs) news content on post websites or use images that do not belong to us.

Press Office need a line to explain how this happened. Without knowing details from Post I propose this:-

We apologise for the use of this photograph, which was inappropriately published. As a result we have removed this story from gov.uk and are reminding staff of publishing guidance.

Best wishes

[Redacted] [Redacted]| [Redacted]| Digital Transformation Unit | Foreign and Commonwealth Office

[Redacted] | [Redacted]| [Redacted] gov.uk/fco | @foreignoffice | facebook.com/foreignoffice Innovation in policy, services and comms - learn more about the Digital Transformation Unit

https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/uk-immigration-policy-update-family-migration


http://www.freemovement.org.uk/home-office-picks-wrong-family-photo-for-campaign/


http://www.gov.uk/fco

https://twitter.com/foreignoffice

https://www.facebook.com/foreignoffice

http://www.fconet.fco.gov.uk/About+the+FCO/Change/Digital+by+Default/default.htm


To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: RE: web stuff

[Redacted], Thanks for the update. To be absolutely clear post should not be republishing central government news. Existing news can be featured on post sites through the content management system and does not need to be recreated as a world news story. Guidance is sent to web editors regularly on this issue and the Hubs can help clarify if there remains doubt. It’s also helpful if Post have a set of default images for world new stories (crest, pic of the Embassy etc). Given the design of gov.uk pictures are not really essential so if in doubt something generic is absolutely fine. Let us know if we can provide further help/guidance.

Best wishes




To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: RE: web stuff All, Just to update you. I’ve checked with the [Redacted] this morning (the story and image upload pre-dates my start here). They have confirmed that they did, in fact, upload the story, as part of a series of updates last summer. They had agreement from the then head of section to upload the text but didn’t routinely clear images, because the vast majority of images they use are from the FCO Digital library. We have agreed that, going forward, the team will seek written permission from the Hub to use images from the Digital Library and that, in case they need to source an image from elsewhere, I / [Redacted] will have sight of / sign off the use of any other images. My sincere apologies. [Redacted]






To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: RE: web stuff [Redacted]

I had a discussion about this with the [Redacted] on Friday night.

I know of the photograph and story only because I saw it on the HO .GOV site last week. I had no idea that it originated in Islamabad, it certainly read like it was the official HO statement on Javed. FYI: the text of the letter we send to customers who are subject to being placed on MM hold (because of the Javed ruling) refers to ‘further information on the HO website’. The text of this letter comes from central Policy. Until Friday, if you searched ‘family migration’ on .GOV to find out what that further information was, you would have been directed to the webstory detailed below. If the photo did originate from Islamabad it did not come from me or the visa section.

[Redacted] doesn’t know anything about it either, although the entry predates [Redacted] arrival at Post. I’m sure [Redacted] will check with her team on Monday and let you know if

they were the originators.

[Redacted] [Redacted] [Redacted]

Islamabad UK Visas & Immigration British High Commission, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad, Pakistan Landline: [Redacted]

Mobile: [Redacted]

[Redacted] https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration



Hi Afraid I had no involvement in this – [Redacted]– did you discuss with PPA?

Thanks [Redacted]

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

[Redacted] [Redacted]

Middle East and Pakistan UK Visas and Immigration British Embassy, Abu Dhabi Tel: [Redacted]

FTN: [Redacted]

Mob: [Redacted]

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk From: [Redacted] Sent: 05 April 2014 12:25

To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: FW: web stuff

Hi [Redacted],

Do you know anything about this webstory on the Islamabad page? The details are below. Thanks, [Redacted]


To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: FW: web stuff

Hi [Redacted], I don’t know if you know about this but there was a story posted on the Islamabad webpage (then directed to Gov.uk) which has now been deleted on the Home Office appealing against the High Court’s judgement on the family migration policy and in particular the income threshold. We published a webstory on the 26 July and the quote on their version is the same. Do you know who might have published this over there as there are issues with a photo in it (you can get the background from the second article)? Would there be anyone in the International Directorate or someone in UKVI over there with a comms job? Any help either over the weekend or on Monday would be great. Here is the link to our story: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-appeals-high-court-decision-on-family-income-threshold Thanks, [Redacted]

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-appeals-high-court-decision-on-family-income-threshold

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-appeals-high-court-decision-on-family-income-threshold



[Redacted] [Redacted] in Islamabad has said the story and picture in question are from the Home office and are not from Post. Can you check. [Redacted] is our duty press officer if there is an update on this. [Redacted] From: [Redacted] Sent: 04 April 2014 18:23


[Redacted], We need to know who published this story – did you see who before you deleted it? Post say the story was first published by the Home Office and the picture came from the Home Office and is being used elsewhere on gov.uk Is this your understanding?

Best wishes


[Redacted]| [Redacted]| [Redacted] gov.uk/fco | @foreignoffice | facebook.com/foreignoffice Innovation in policy, services and comms - learn more about the Digital Transformation Unit



Because the story was out of date. The issue has moved on since August.

I don’t have the details as to why (it was before my time on the desk), but [Redacted] can

provide if required.





[Redacted] [Redacted] Immigration Home Office

[Redacted]


To: [Redacted] Subject: RE: web stuff

Thanks Why didn’t you just remove the photo rather than the whole story in case we’re asked? We didn’t migrate news onto Post sites from our old platform, so it would have been created in August.

Best wishes



From: [Redacted], Sent: 04 April 2014 13:58

To: [Redacted], Subject: web stuff

[Redacted], As discussed, here are the two articles. The top one is the original story from last summer which has been migrated to gov.uk. The lower link is the piece written by the blogging lawyer. Our web people have looked at the story’s history and it was definitely uploaded from an FCO address, so it’s our presumption that the information was taken from a Dip-Tel and uploaded in Islamabad. https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/uk-immigration-policy-update-family-migration http://www.freemovement.org.uk/home-office-picks-wrong-family-photo-for-campaign/#comments Fingers crossed nobody spots this, but if anyone approaches us I’m afraid we’ll have to ping them in your direction for a response. Regards,

[Redacted],







http://www.freemovement.org.uk/home-office-picks-wrong-family-photo-for-campaign/#comments

http://www.freemovement.org.uk/home-office-picks-wrong-family-photo-for-campaign/#comments

[Redacted], [Redacted], Immigration Home Office

[Redacted] From: [Redacted] Sent: Mon 07/04/2014 09:24

To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: RE: web stuff Don’t know if the story has been used before. The content management system for GOV.UK was

showing [Redacted]as the author of the story.



Hi [Redacted],

Thanks for coming back to me. I have checked the webstory I wrote for the Home Office’s GOV.uk page and it didn’t use this picture. The copy is similar though. I am trying to find out if anyone in UKVI was involved. Thanks, [Redacted] From: [Redacted] Sent: 05 April 2014 03:01

To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: Re: web stuff

[Redacted],

Just to add that, when I spoke to the head of visas about this, she said that this is a global

issue (on the Javed ruling) and not specific to Islamabad and that the Home Office will have

agreed the PR and the use of any accompanying picture.

[Redacted]

*** This Message Has Been Sent Using BlackBerry Internet Service from Mobilink ***

From: [Redacted]

Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2014 18:15:30 +0000

To: [Redacted]

Cc: [Redacted]

Subject: RE: web stuff

Hi [Redacted], I will try and find out today. I don’t know if [Redacted] can check whether the picture has been used before? I will check with Comms to see if anyone in UKVI in Islamabad posted it. Thanks, [Redacted] From: [Redacted] Sent: 04 April 2014 18:52

To: [Redacted] Subject: Evening note

ISSUE The Home Office and FCO have been contacted by [Redacted]about a story published in August on gov.uk by the High Commission in Islamabad which uses an image to illustrate the story which belongs to [Redacted]is of a child who was due to be removed from the UK. The Home Office digital team have deleted the story and line below has been given to [Redacted]. HANDLING Current line given to the [Redacted]




To: [Redacted] Subject: Further to your call

Hi [Redacted],



Ends

Thanks,

[Redacted] [Redacted]| Press Officer | Foreign and Commonwealth Office | London | SW1A 2AH | email: [Redacted] | Tel:

[Redacted]| [Redacted]| https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office Follow the Foreign Secretary on twitter and facebook

Follow Hugo Swire on twitter


To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: Daily Record query re: photo

Hi [Redacted], I understand that you’re preparing a line on this photograph that was posted inappropriately on gov.uk. I was on Newsdesk today and took a call at about 4.30pm from [Redacted]. [Redacted] owns the copyright to the photograph and he is asking who is responsible and why it was done? He approached the Home Office press office first and they referred him to us. Grateful for your advice or a line – I’m happy to get back to him if we won’t have one cleared this evening. Thanks, [Redacted] [Redacted]| Press Officer | Foreign and Commonwealth Office | London | SW1A 2AH | email: [Redacted] | Tel:

[Redacted]| [Redacted]| https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office

Follow the Foreign Secretary on twitter and facebook

Follow Hugo Swire on twitter

From: Carl Newns (Sensitive) Sent: Fri 04/04/2014 16:06

To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: FW: GOV.UK story

That’s what I discussed with [Redacted] earlier. Please see where she’s got to. Best Wishes Carl Carl Newns

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office

http://twitter.com/#!/williamjhague

http://facebook.com/williamjhague

http://www.twitter.com/HugoSwire

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office



http://www.twitter.com/HugoSwire

Head of Press and Digital Department, Press Secretary to the Foreign Secretary Engagement and Communication Directorate Foreign and Commonwealth Office [Redacted] [Redacted] Follow the Foreign Secretary on twitter and facebook


To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted]; Carl Newns (Sensitive)

Subject: FW: GOV.UK story

[Redacted], Could you have a think about a contingency line for this if anyone does pick it up over the weekend. I think we’d need to be in apology mode, and that we’ve put in measures so it doesn’t happen again type line. Could you also make sure that the duty officer has the Islamabad duty officer contact details too? Thanks, [Redacted] From: [Redacted] Sent: 04 April 2014 15:20 To: Carl Newns (Sensitive)

Cc: [Redacted] Subject: RE: GOV.UK story

Carl, The story appears to have been deleted. Presumably by the Home Office. We will remind post that they are not meant to re-version other department’s news stories and use copyright images.

Best wishes









From: Carl Newns (Sensitive) Sent: 04 April 2014 14:48

To: [Redacted] Cc: [Redacted] Subject: FW: GOV.UK story

[Redacted] Are you or any of your team aware of this? Best Wishes Carl Carl Newns Head of Press and Digital Department, Press Secretary to the Foreign Secretary Engagement and Communication Directorate Foreign and Commonwealth Office [Redacted] [Redacted] Follow the Foreign Secretary on twitter and facebook

From: Tighe Andy Sent: 04 April 2014 13:57 To: Carl Newns (Sensitive)

Cc: [Redacted] Subject: FW: GOV.UK story

Carl: bit of a problem with an upload to gov.uk from one of your eager beavers in Pakistan who’s taken a genuine Home Office story and unhelpfully reversioned it with an uncleared photo that turns out to be of the very girl whose family we were trying to remove. It’s been picked up by a political blogger who’s followed by a few proper journalists. He thinks it’s the Home Office wot done it, but we didn’t – just that through the wonders of gov.uk there’s no way of knowing. We’ve changed the photo as you can see on the first link below, but this might come your way. And even if it doesn’t go anywhere, you might like to remind all and sundry that they need to be careful about lifting photos that belong to other people and uploading them to the interweb. Best, Andy Hi [Redacted] As discussed here is the story https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/uk-immigration-policy-update-family-migration And here is the website that has reported on it. http://www.freemovemkent.org.uk/home-office-picks-wrong-family-photo-for-campaign/







As I mentioned, the story appears to have been published by someone in the High Commission in Islamabad but we are in the process of removing the image.

I’ve cc’d [Redacted] and [Redacted] from my team who can be contacted if any further action

clarification is needed. Thanks

[Redacted]

[Redacted] [Redacted] Communication Directorate Home Office 1st Floor Peel Building, 2, Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF t [Redacted] f [Redacted] www.homeoffice.gov.uk

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/

background note: photo of [redacted]on gov · from [redacted], pakistan & afghanistan dept date...

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