Mr. Barry White:

The UK Government launched an inquiry into UK relations with Turkey through the foreign affairs committee and the deadline for submissions was 20 October. The Trades Union Congress in Britain made a written submission covering many of the points that people have raised because this purge is far wider than just journalists but it includes them. It did so as the committee welcomed written submissions which addressed in particular the status in Turkey of the rights and values supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including freedom of speech and assembly, minority rights and the status of democracy. One can see there has been work taking place in Britain.

We know a number of our affiliates in continental Europe have also visited Turkish embassies to make the points that have been made both in Dublin and London. There are four or five of them and the details are on the International Federation of Journalists website. I do not have the information with me now. It is certainly an international campaign to put pressure on the Turkish authorities because that is what our affiliates in Turkey want us to do. We are not doing this on our own. We are doing it because we have been asked to do it by them. That is what solidarity means, as we all know, and they feel alone. It is only when they see this sort of action being taken internationally and across Europe that they gain confidence and realise they are not alone. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned going there is to show they are not alone. We are only fighting for the values that we cherish in our countries and that they are fighting to maintain.