(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - “It shouldn't go ahead, I don't think British drivers should go, I think the Formula One should not go ahead in Bahrain,” the Labour Party politician told the state-run BBC on Friday 20 April.
“You have got demonstrations by democratic protesters who have been violently suppressed and although it should be a matter for the sport to decide rather than for the government, I do think government ministers can express an opinion. That opinion should be it should not go ahead, it would send the wrong signal, it should not happen,” added Cooper.
This comes as pro-democracy protesters’ slogan can be seen across protest boards in the capital Manama “don’t race over our blood” while the Bahraini regime forces have clashed with protesters firing tear gas, sound bombs, and buckshot.
Media reports say Bahraini regime forces have wounded several protesters across the country’s Shiite villages as the regime beefed up security for the first practice sessions Friday 20 April.
However, former Metropolitan police deputy chief John Yates, who was deployed to Bahrain to advise the regime on police reform, said Bahrain was calm and ready to host the F1 Grand Prix.
Earlier this week, Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander also called for the event in Bahrain to be cancelled saying “F1 bosses should call off the scheduled Bahrain Grand Prix.”
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