2 days ago
Trade envoy's trip to Cyprus 'is like visiting Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine'
A trade envoy's controversial trip to northern Cyprus was last night likened to visiting the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.
Sir Keir Starmer faced yet more pressure to sack Afzal Khan, who has caused a diplomatic spat with an unauthorised visit to a territory the UK does not recognise.
Labour MP Mr Khan, UK trade envoy to Turkey, posed for pictures in the self-declared Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus, standing alongside the breakaway state's leader.
The Cypriot government in the south regards the north as a rogue state. It says Mr Khan's trip, which it has branded 'absolutely condemnable', confers recognition on it.
On Thursday, Christos Karaolis, president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, said: 'No UK Government minister would travel to Crimea…or be pictured alongside flags and symbols representing the so-called 'Republic of Crimea' regime.
'The only difference between the occupation in Crimea and the northern part of Cyprus is time - Cyprus has been militarily occupied for 40 more years. Time cannot legitimise an occupation.
'Therefore, Mr Khan's position as UK-Turkey Trade Envoy is untenable. His removal would send a clear signal from the Government that his actions are condemnable and not in line with the UK's longstanding policy regarding non-recognition of the occupation regime.'
Tory foreign affairs spokesman Wendy Morton said it was 'high time' Sir Keir sacked the MP who 'has created a diplomatic crisis'.
She added: 'A government representative would never visit occupied Donbas or Crimea. So for Afzal Khan to unofficially visit occupied northern Cyprus is totally unacceptable.
'Spineless Keir Starmer has sat on his hands whilst one of his MPs has created a diplomatic crisis. It is high time he grew a backbone and sacked him.'
Officials are said to have been unaware of his trip.
The Government said there was no change to its position regarding northern Cyprus.
