Vincent Fean

Early life

Fean was born in Burnley, Lancashire and educated at St Theodore's RC High School in the town, and later the University of Sheffield.

Diplomatic career

Fean joined the Diplomatic Service in 1975. His career has included appointments as High Commissioner to Malta (2002–06), Ambassador to Libya (2006–10), and Consul General to Jerusalem (de facto ambassador to the Occupied Palestinian Territories) since 2010.

He was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2005.

Controversy

Fean was ambassador to Libya during the 2009 release of Pan Am Flight 103 bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi. In information released in the 2010 Wikileaks cables, he was attributed as saying that “they could have cut us off at the knees” in relation to likely Libyan government actions against UK interests in the country, should Megrahi die in prison in Scotland.

Views on recognition of Palestine

In December 2014 The New York Times published an opinion piece by Fean in which outlined what he believes are requirements for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues in the article that European countries such as Britain, Spain, France, Ireland as well as the European Parliament are working to promote coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, and to that end are considering recognition of Palestine as "a contribution to a negotiated peace, not a substitute for it."

Personal life

In July 2010, he received an honorary degree from the University of Sheffield.