A LABOUR MP has been forced to resign as the UK’s trade envoy to Turkey amid controversy over a visit to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.
Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, had stepped down from his position on Friday, a government spokesman has told the BBC.
Mr. Khan explained his visit to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which lacks recognition from the UK Government, was to see his nephew and accept an honorary degree.
He said he had paid for the trip himself.
His independent actions angered the official Cypriot government in the south, labeling his visit as “absolutely condemnable and unacceptable”.
Turkish troops have occupied the northern section of the Mediterranean island since 1974.
Shadow foreign minister Wendy Morton told the BBC that she welcomed Mr Khan’s resignation, but said Sir Keir Starmer should have sacked him earlier.
Dame Priti Patel, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, commented to MailOnline: “Keir Starmer should have immediately dismissed his trade envoy for such an ill-advised trip.”
“Yet again the Prime Minister has serious questions to answer about his poor judgement and actions that undermine Britain’s global standing.”
Christos Karaolis, leader of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, stated: “We approve of Afzal Khan’s resignation as the trade envoy to Turkey.”
“His position was clearly untenable following his deeply inappropriate and unacceptable visit to occupied northern Cyprus.
“Mr. Khan’s actions, deemed condemnable, jeopardized UK foreign policy, challenged the Republic of Cyprus’s sovereignty, and violated international law.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Mr Khan has left his position as trade envoy to the republic of Turkey.”
