British Trade Envoy Afzal Khan at the Center of Diplomatic Scandal Over Visit to Northern Cyprus

The British Trade Envoy to Turkey and Labour Party MP Afzal Khan found himself at the center of a diplomatic scandal following his visit to Northern Cyprus, the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). His trip sparked sharp criticism from the Cypriot diaspora in the UK and raised concerns among British authorities.

On August 6, 2025, Khan arrived in Northern Cyprus via Erjan (Tymbou) Airport, which is not recognized by the international community. There, he met with TRNC President Ersin Tatar, and during their meeting, they exchanged gifts bearing the TRNC flag. Later, Khan was awarded an honorary doctorate in politics and international relations by Girne American University, which is not accredited by the Republic of Cyprus authorities and has been linked to investigations concerning human trafficking.

In response to this visit, the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, representing over 300,000 British citizens of Cypriot origin, demanded Khan's immediate resignation. In their statement, the organization called the trip a "gross violation of international law" and "a direct contradiction to longstanding British policy on Cyprus." The federation emphasized that the visit undermines the official UK position, which does not recognize the TRNC as an independent state.

In response to the criticism, the UK Foreign Office stated that Khan’s visit was private and unrelated to his official duties. However, sources indicate the government was not informed of the trip in advance.

Afzal Khan, a Labour Party member, was appointed British Trade Envoy to Turkey in 2024. He previously held posts in the shadow cabinet, including Minister for Immigration and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. In November 2023, he resigned from the shadow cabinet in protest against government policy regarding Gaza.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the status of Northern Cyprus and the sensitivity of international relations in the region. British authorities will likely be compelled to carefully consider the consequences of Khan’s visit and its alignment with UK foreign policy.