HC Deb 14 April 2000 vol 348 c291W
Mr. Hilary Benn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight in Istanbul on 5 April; if he will publish the report of these investigations as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement. [119046]

Mr. Hain

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not have any jurisdiction to investigate these crimes. The investigation into the deaths of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight is a matter for the Turkish authorities. We have, however, made it very clear to the Turkish authorities the importance we attach to bringing the killers to justice. The Chief of Police in Istanbul called on the British Consul-General on 8 April to update him on the investigation. He has undertaken to continue to update our consular staff on a regular basis. Consular staff in London will keep the families informed of developments.