Afzal Khan has resigned as Britain's Trade Envoy (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
A Labour MP has resigned as the UK's trade envoy to Turkey amid controversy over a visit to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus. A Government spokesman told the BBC Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, had stepped down from his position on Friday.
Mr Khan said the trip to the self-declared Turkish Republic, which is not recognised by the UK Government, was to visit his nephew and to receive an honorary degree. He said he had paid for the trip himself. He further claimed 20 British parliamentarians had visited northern Cyprus without attracting similar criticism.
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Turkish troops have occupied the northern section of the Mediterranean island since 1974.
Northern Cyprus is only recognized as a state by Turkey; the rest of the world considers it part of the Republic of Cyprus.
The United Nations and European Union view the area as occupied territory following Turkey’s 1974 military intervention.
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Its political institutions operate independently in practice, but they have no broad international legitimacy.
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.
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Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel, posting on X, said: "Spineless Keir Starmer should have sacked his trade envoy immediately for creating this terrible diplomatic row.
"Yet again the Prime Minister has serious questions to answer about his poor judgment and actions that continue to undermine Britain's global standing."
A Government spokesperson said: “Mr Khan has left his position as Trade Envoy to the Republic of Türkiye.”
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