Afzal Khan has resigned from his position as the UK's trade envoy to Turkey due to backlash from his recent visit to the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Cypriot government condemned his actions, especially after his meeting with Turkish-Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. Khan emphasized that the trip was personal and paid for by himself, aiming to highlight that he was not acting in an official capacity. Despite his assertions, criticism from political figures and communities heightened, ultimately leading to his resignation to avoid distracting from the government’s efforts on trade deals.
Afzal Khan has resigned as the UK’s trade envoy to Turkey following criticism of his visit to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which the UK does not recognize.
Mr Khan stated he visited Northern Cyprus in a personal capacity and the trip was unrelated to his trade envoy role despite the heavy criticism it received from various officials.
The Cypriot government described Mr Khan's meeting with Turkish-Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar as 'absolutely condemnable and unacceptable,' asserting the inappropriateness of his visit.
Christos Karaolis remarked that Mr Khan’s position as trade envoy was 'clearly untenable' following his 'deeply inappropriate and unacceptable visit' to the occupied territory.
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