Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Matthew Kidd, the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus, was acting on ministerial instructions when he publicly stated that recognition of the TRNC would be “dangerous”; whether they have repudiated recognition of the identity of Turkish Cypriots; and whether they intend to take any action, including disciplinary action.

Whilst the Government recognises the Turkish Cypriot community, we do not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". The Government is bound by relevant UN Security Council Resolutions condemning the Turkish Cypriot unilateral declaration of independence from the Republic of Cyprus. In a recent interview the British High Commissioner to Cyprus commented on how best to create conditions of security for the inhabitants of Cyprus, including the Turkish Cypriots. As he said, the Government continues to believe that a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus is the best means of resolving the difficulties caused by partition of the island for all its inhabitants, including matters relating to security. The High Commissioner enjoys the full and total confidence of Ministers.