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British MP financed by group linked to failed Turkey coup | British MP financed by group linked to failed Turkey coup |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A British MP was paid thousands of pounds by a group allegedly linked to the failed Turkish military coup to write a report on Turkey’s human rights record, which was then promoted during a House of Commons debate, it has emerged. | A British MP was paid thousands of pounds by a group allegedly linked to the failed Turkish military coup to write a report on Turkey’s human rights record, which was then promoted during a House of Commons debate, it has emerged. |
According to the Times, Tory MP Sir Edward Garnier accepted £115,994 ($152,951) from the Istanbul-based group Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF). | According to the Times, Tory MP Sir Edward Garnier accepted £115,994 ($152,951) from the Istanbul-based group Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF). |
The group has been linked to an organisation headed by the Islamic preacher Fetullah Gülen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the US. | |
On July 15, a group of rogue soldiers that Ankara alleges were connected to Gülen attempted to topple the democratically-elected government in Turkey and bring martial law into effect. | |
Garnier's paper, titled ‘A Report on the Rule of Law and Respect for Human Rights in Turkey’, was released in September last year and promoted by London-based PR company Hawthorn, which offers “reputation management.” | |
Copies were sent to then-foreign secretary Philip Hammond and then-Prime Minister David Cameron. | Copies were sent to then-foreign secretary Philip Hammond and then-Prime Minister David Cameron. |
It was written at a time when Gülen's group was listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey. | |
Garnier’s report focused almost solely on the juridical actions of the Turkish government against Gülen-linked organizations, according to the newspaper. | Garnier’s report focused almost solely on the juridical actions of the Turkish government against Gülen-linked organizations, according to the newspaper. |
In March this year, Garnier joined in a Commons debate on the EU-Turkey migrant deal, raising “serial and appalling” human rights and rule of law abuses by the Turkish government and urging a reversal of the UK’s support for Turkey’s accession to the EU. | In March this year, Garnier joined in a Commons debate on the EU-Turkey migrant deal, raising “serial and appalling” human rights and rule of law abuses by the Turkish government and urging a reversal of the UK’s support for Turkey’s accession to the EU. |
While he mentioned his contribution to the report during his Commons statement, he did not reveal it had been commissioned by a group linked to the Gülen movement. | While he mentioned his contribution to the report during his Commons statement, he did not reveal it had been commissioned by a group linked to the Gülen movement. |
According to the Times, Garnier denied supporting the Gülenists and said his report was researched independently. | According to the Times, Garnier denied supporting the Gülenists and said his report was researched independently. |
The recent coup was unsuccessful, but more than 230 civilians were killed and 2,191 people were injured. | |
Opposition parties have condemned the coup attempt. | Opposition parties have condemned the coup attempt. |
The Times says since the 1970s, Gülen has established a web of influence in Turkey through schools, media outlets and businesses, urging his followers to pursue careers in the police, judiciary, military and other institutions. | The Times says since the 1970s, Gülen has established a web of influence in Turkey through schools, media outlets and businesses, urging his followers to pursue careers in the police, judiciary, military and other institutions. |
He remains as the group's honorary president. |
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