The United Kingdom's trade envoy to Turkey, Afzal Khan, has resigned following a public outcry over his recent visit to the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus, where he met with the leader of the breakaway state.
The government of the Republic of Cyprus welcomed the resignation, calling it a "significant development" that sends a "resounding message that there is no room for tolerance" for such actions.
The controversy erupted after Mr. Khan, a Member of Parliament, was received by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Aug. 8 and was photographed in front of the flag of the self-styled state, which is recognized only by Turkey.
In his resignation letter to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Mr. Khan said it was "best to stand down at this time so not to distract" from the government's work.
He claimed the trip was personal and self-funded.
The resignation was also welcomed by the UK's shadow foreign minister, Wendy Morton, who said Mr. Starmer should have fired him sooner.
The president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom, Christos Karaolis, called Mr. Khan's position "clearly untenable."