Georgia declares a "state of war" - Georgian plane shot down - Stalin's birthplace bombed - civilians killed and wounded

At long last the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office have made a public response to events in georgia , the Boy David said to Lord Patel just minutes ago ..

"The UK government is deeply concerned by the violence in Georgia. The escalation in fighting is dangerously destabilising and there is also the threat of civilian losses on a large scale. Reports of fighting and bombing outside South Ossetia are especially disturbing as they represent a broadening and deepening of the conflict. The UK believes it is vital for leaderships on both sides to call for fighting to cease and for peace talks to start as soon as possible. I have also agreed to send Sir Brian Fall, our Representative for the South Caucasus, to Georgia tonight as part of an EU/OSCE mission.

"I am today holding high level consultations with European Foreign Ministers and with the US Secretary of State.

"The UK will be discussing with all our partners how to stop the spread of violence, secure a ceasefire and get talks underway"

You can read the history (and it is fascinating) of the British Embassy of theTranscaucasus /Georgia here. November 2002 the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw announced that he had appointed Sir Brian Fall as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative (UKSR) for Georgia.

Announcing the appointment Jack Straw said:‘ I am committed to finding a way to help Georgia become prosperous, stable and able to live in harmony with its neighbours. This is why I am glad to appoint Sir Brian to this position. Sir Brian’s experience of the region and his diplomatic skills will be invaluable in helping him fulfil this role’.

In 2003, Sir Brian’s mandate was expanded to cover the South Caucasus. In this capacity, Sir Brian is also the UK Senior Representative on the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General on Georgia.

Sir Brian was a career member of Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service from 1962 to 1995 and retired as Ambassador to the Russian Federation.

A recent confidential document on the situation quotes him ..."“Russia is openly siding with the separatists, calling into question Russia’s facilitator role… Georgia understandably views the instructions as a provocation and a serious challenge to its sovereigntyand territorial integrity.”

“This move, coupled with Russia’s recent lifting of CIS sanctions that opens the possibility for military assistance to Abkhazia, has significantly increased tensions in an already volatile region."

"In this regard, we expect Russia to live up to its recent assurances that Russia will abide by its international commitments and responsibilities not to supply weapons to conflict zones and to maintain Russian sanctions on the transfer of military services and equipment to separatist regions.”

Sir Brian who the Boy David has despatched was Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. (LMH) but he now sems to be fully employed by the FCO in his retirement. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto read PPE at LMH from 1973 to 1977 and was an Honorary Fellow. Other notable politicians amongst their alumni include the midget gem, Michael Gove and Ann Widdicombe. Barbara Mills the ex had of the CPS and sister in law of Mr Tosser Jowell (friend of senor Berlusconi) was also a student

Advice from the Embassy (in Tblisi) for UK citizens in Georgia is here