UK to impose sanctions alone

Britain will later impose sanctions independently for the first time on dozens of individuals accused of human rights abuses around the world.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab will launch the government’s new post-Brexit sanctions regime by naming the first violators to have their assets frozen.

In the past, Britain has almost always imposed sanctions collectively as a member of the United Nations or the European Union.

But after Brexit it can act alone.

The sanctions will target individuals or organisations accused of human rights violations around the world, as well as those who profit financially from those abuses.