Icelandic PM: British law firm to prepare case against UK Government

Seajays

This just coming through:

Unbowed Icelandic PM sends a strong message to UK
...
Haarde then hit the topic of relations with UK. “…the way we were treated by the British Government last week had nothing to do with salvaging British interests and was absolutely unacceptable.”

“The British Government’s unprecedented actions against Kaupthing in the United Kingdom have led us to review our legal position vis-à-vis the British authorities. To that end, the Government of Iceland has appointed a British law firm, which is now working to prepare a case, and the Icelandic Government has also taken various measures to ensure that the British public is made aware of our point of view.”

“Despite the dispute that has arisen in relations between Iceland and the United Kingdom, both countries have emphasized resolving the issues connected to Landsbanki’s IceSave accounts. The same applies to IceSave accounts in the Netherlands.”

“No agreement has yet been concluded with the United Kingdom, but I am hopeful that an outcome will be achieved soon.”

“In the emergency legislation passed by the Althing last week, depositors’ claims were given priority during the receivership process. There are good prospects that Landsbanki’s assets in the Netherlands and Britain will go a long way toward covering the claims that savers in these countries have on the respective banks – which will in turn reduce the claim that falls on the Icelandic state. The Government has taken measures to ensure the value of the banks’ assets and in that way limit losses as far as possible.”
...
http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/10/16/unbowed-icelandic-pm-sends-a-strong-message-to-uk/

cogito

Haarde is a cretin. It doesn't seem to have registered with him that the British Government only acted because the Icelandics effectively confiscated UK account holders' deposits.

I like this bit:

There are good prospects that Landsbanki’s assets in the Netherlands and Britain will go a long way toward covering the claims that savers in these countries have on the respective banks

I think that's why we've frozen them.

going2die_rich

What an idiot. He really thinks the british people are actually going to side with Iceland after they went and protected it's own savers money then told the UK savers we aren't living up to our side of the agreement.

Bankrupt the country should be our aim now.

As for the British Law Firm... time to name and shame it, as well as arressting the directors of the company for colabrating with Terrorist nations I think

player

Oh the irony, a British Law firm.



I guess all the Icelandic ones are in administration - our fault again perhaps?

COCO

Question... Whats the Capital of Iceland ?.

Answer.....About £3.50.

Oblivion

COCO wrote: »

Question... Whats the Capital of Iceland ?.

Answer.....About £3.50.

Nah, they just spent that on an 'I HATE BRITAIN' bumper sticker for the Prime Miniscule's car (soon to be repossessed). :rotfl:

Dave.

p.s I hope the British law firm gets their fee up front!

Pssst

player wrote: »

Oh the irony, a British Law firm.



I guess all the Icelandic ones are in administration - our fault again perhaps?

The next thing you'll read is that they are getting legal aid and have engaged Cherie Blair QC.

Oblivion

player wrote: »

Oh the irony, a British Law firm.

Could this be Messrs Sue, Grabbitt & Run, by any chance? I think we should be told.

Dave.

Reaper

He blames Britain for the collapse of Kaupthing claiming that our actions brought it down.

Wrong. His actions brought it down. By saying they weren't going to pay the Icesave compensation they owed it meant:
1) Iceland was effectively declaring itself bankrupt (unable to repay its debts) so...
2) Kaupthing savers started a run on the bank (because their savings were no longer safe)

That's what killed Kaupthing. But it's always easier to blame others than admit responsibility.

itsmickdundee

Oblivion wrote: »

Nah, they just spent that on an 'I HATE BRITAIN' bumper sticker for the Prime Miniscule's car (soon to be repossessed). :rotfl:

Dave.

p.s I hope the British law firm gets their fee up front!

No, quite the opposite. From what I have heard, the economic situation in Iceland is that dire, they have actually contacted the UK's Claims Direct to take advantage of their No Win, No Fee scheme, citing the "accident" of ever entering the UK with their banks in toe.

The actual writ states that they were just doing their job, but slipped as they pulled out of the UK, causing a stampede of British savers which unduly crushed their banks to death.

I can just imagine the new run of adverts:

"Fallen?"

"Slipped?"

"Broken something?"

"Stolen another country's money?"........................


"We can help".

Patr100

Oblivion wrote: »

Could this be Messrs Sue, Grabbitt & Run, by any chance? I think we should be told.

Dave.

I heard it was Botchit & Creepaway (Iceland branch)



Our own govt isn't above doing the same but I really would take what Icelandic politicians etc say about the situation with salt & skepticism - they're on the defensive - having to spin the crisis to make out it wasn't anything to do with them.