MP resigns as trade envoy over controversial Cyprus visit

Afzal Khan stepped down from his position on Friday

Afzal Khan

A Labour MP has resigned as the UK’s trade envoy to Turkey following controversy surrounding a visit to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.

Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, stepped down from his position on Friday, a government spokesman confirmed to the BBC.

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.

An aerial view of the divided walled city of Cyprus' capital Nicosia and the city centre in the area controlled by the Republic of Cyprus in the foreground, while the background shows the rest of Nicosia and the Kyrenia mountain range in the area under control by the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) (AFP/Getty)

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.