Latest news with #WendyMorton
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
UK lawmaker resigns as trade envoy after northern Cyprus trip backlash
LONDON, Aug 16 — A member of parliament (MP) for the Labour party has resigned as the UK's trade envoy to Turkey amid controversy over a visit to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, reported PA Media/dpa. A government spokesman told the BBC that Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, had stepped down from his position on Friday. Khan said the trip to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 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. Turkish troops have occupied the northern section of the Mediterranean island since 1974. Shadow foreign minister Wendy Morton told the BBC that she welcomed Khan's resignation, but said Prime Minister Keir Starmer should have sacked him earlier. — Bernama-PA Media/dpa
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
MP resigns as trade envoy over northern Cyprus visit
Mr Khan said the trip to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 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. 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.
Daily Mail
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Pressure growing on Labour to sack trade envoy after his visit to Northern Cyprus - despite the British Government not recognising the territory
PRESSURE is building on Labour to sack the UK's trade envoy to Turkey following his visit to northern Cyprus – despite Britain not recognising it. Afzal Khan, the Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, is in the self-declared state for a 'series of official engagements' and has met the leader. But the British Government does not recognise the breakaway territory which Ankara controls following its invasion of the island 50 years ago. The trip has prompted fury, with the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK which represents more than 300,000 British citizens of Cypriot origin calling for his dismissal. Wendy Morton, the shadow foreign affairs minister, wrote to her counterpart Stephen Doughty yesterday to question why Mr Khan was still in the envoy role. 'This visit risks undermining the UK's credibility as a guarantor power and as an impartial interlocutor in settlement negotiations,' she wrote. 'It also sends a worrying signal to UK citizens of Cypriot heritage, many of whom were displaced from the very areas that Mr Khan visited. 'I am concerned at the diplomatic, legal and ethical implications of this visit.' Ms Morton asked whether anyone in Government was aware of the trip and whether any official advice was sought before it took place. She noted that he flew into the territory via Ercan airport which she said was unlawful under international agreements, as would recognising the area. She added: 'In light of these events, I would also ask what consideration is being given to Mr Khan's continued role as UK Trade Envoy to Turkey.' Asked about his visit yesterday, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said it was in a 'personal capacity', adding that the UK did not recognise Northern Cyprus. Only Turkey recognises the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' as an independent nation. Greek Cypriots regard it as a rogue state and have called for the 30,000 Turkish troops stationed there to leave. The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK has sent a letter to the UK Government questioning Mr Khan's visit to the 'Turkish-occupied' areas of Cyprus. It has called for his dismissal due to a 'blatant violation' of international law and longstanding UK policy. Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, has also called for his resignation over the 'worrying signal' sent by his trip. Turkey invaded in 1974 during a coup by the junta in Greece to unite the island with the mainland. Fifty years on, Cyprus remains in stasis following the bloody conflict which divided the island. A Government spokesperson said: 'The visit to the north of Cyprus was undertaken in a personal capacity. 'There is no change to the Government's long-standing position regarding the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'.' Government sources said that due to the trip being a personal visit, the Government was not aware of the trip in advance.
Daily Mail
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Victorious Lionesses are our 'national pride' say MPs and call for squad to be given damehoods following stunning Euros victory
The Lionesses should be awarded damehoods for the Euro 2025 victory, MPs have declared - hailing the players 'a total inspiration' and 'our national pride'. Tory MP Wendy Morton said the entire England women's football team should be honoured, insisting their collective achievement must not go unrecognised - unlike last time they won. 'These girls have done something extraordinary,' she said. 'They are such an inspiration so they absolutely should receive recognition for that. 'It was a team effort, so they should be honoured as a team. Often the people behind the scenes, and those who practice but don't actually get called to play, miss out on the glory - and they shouldn't.' Fellow Conservative MP Caroline Dinenage also backed calls for official recognition, saying: 'They are our national pride. They showed remarkable resilience, teamwork and strength of character. 'They are a total inspiration and one of our most successful national teams.' The Lionesses captured the nation's hearts with their run of historic victories, and campaigners say it is time their achievements were properly rewarded. When they scored their first historic European Championship victory in 2022, just four of the players got gongs. At the time, honours committee chairman Sir Hugh Robertson said the panel wanted to reward outstanding performances rather than the whole team, as they hadn't won the World Cup. Yesterday, Labour's Sarah Champion MP said she supported giving damehoods to all players '100 per cent'. 'Their courage and dedication to the game has inspired women and girls across the country to get involved with football,' she said. 'It would publicly show that we recognise and celebrate the achievements of women and girls, and they could do the same.' Nigel Huddleston, shadow culture, media and sport minister, said 'honours should be lavished upon the lionesses'. 'The purpose of the honours system is to recognise outstanding contributions and achievements, including in the field of sport,' he said. 'The lionesses have certainly been outstanding. 'While not every member of the team may receive an honour this year, I am confident that most will be recognised over the course of their careers - and deservedly so.' Shadow sports minister Louie French MP added: 'These incredible players deserve to be celebrated and honoured in any way our nation can.' Tory MP Shivani Raja said recognising the Lionesses would show young girls and future athletes what is possible. 'They have once again shown just how powerful and inspiring women's sport can be,' she said. 'Their incredible performances reflect real strength, determination, and talent. We must keep backing brilliant role models like these.' Last night, a Downing Street spokesman hinted that members of the victorious team may be recognised in the honours system, saying: 'There is an independent process for nominations, but I hope we will see lots of nominations for this team.'
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Birmingham bin strike 'King rat' postbox topper appears
'Rats the size of cats' postbox topper appears 7 minutes ago Share Save Shehnaz Khan BBC News, West Midlands Share Save Moseley Knit and Natter Group Residents have previously spoke of seeing some "rats the size of cats" amid the strikes A knitted postbox topper featuring the infamous phrase "rats the size of cats" has appeared on a street corner in Birmingham amid the city's ongoing bin strikes. The woolly king rat, sat on top of a mound of knitted black bin bags and holding a crown and cheese sceptre, has been placed on top of a postbox at the Alcester Road and Chantry Road junction in Moseley. The topper, which also features a knitted wheelie bin and pizza boxes, was created by members of the Moseley Knit and Natter Group. Member Naomi Green said the group "wanted to have a bit of fun" and "bring a smile to the community" as the dispute continued. Refuse workers started an all-out strike in March and residents began to complain about infestations of "cat-sized rats" as uncollected waste piled up on city streets. The matter was even raised in parliament in March, with Wendy Morton, Conservative MP for nearby Alridge-Brownhills, saying the "squeaky blinders" were not welcome in her constituency. Moseley Knit and Natter Group A "king rat" with a crown and cheese spectre sits on top of a mound of knitted bin bags on the postbox Ms Green said the topper, which was put together by five people over about a month, was created in the "spur of the moment" when the group was deciding what to knit next. "People have seen the funny side [of the strikes]," she said. The knitwork also features a rodent eating chips covered in ketchup and a larger one feasting on a carrot and a sandwich. Ms Green said, since its creation, people had been contacting the group to ask where they could see the topper and stopping by to take photos. "People are paying homage to king rat," she said. Martin Mullaney, a community activist and former councillor in Moseley, described the knitwork as the "coronation of the rat king". "I think it's amazing," he said. "It's a work of art, it's got humour in it." "Bristol has got Banksy, eat your heart out, we've got our mystery Moseley knitters," he added. Moseley Knit and Natter Group The postbox topper was created by members of the Moseley Knit and Natter Group Birmingham's long-running bin strikes, now in their eighth week, are part of an ongoing dispute between the city council and the Unite union over bin workers' pay. Talks aimed at resolving the dispute are taking place with conciliation service Acas. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
