Dominic Raab Condemns “Bullying” Myanmar Military Regime After Its UK Ambassador Kicked Out Of Embassy
Myanmar's ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn was locked out of the country's embassy in London (Alamy)
2 min read
The Myanmar military regime has been condemned by foreign secretary Dominic Raab after its UK ambassador was forced to sleep in his car after being locked out of his embassy.
Raab praised Kyaw Zwar Minn “for his courage” after he was unable to get back into the building in Mayfair, central London, after an apparent coup by members of the junta who assumed power in the country in February.
The ousted ambassador, who spent the night in his vehicle, is holding talks with the Foreign Office this afternoon after calling for the UK to kick out those involved.
Kyaw Zwar Minn told reporters: "This kind of coup is happening in the middle of the UK, in the middle of London – this shouldn't be happening.”
The diplomat has previously called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's elected leader who was detained in the wake of the coup, the catalyst for weeks of protest and crackdown by the military.
In response to the situation at the embassy Raab tweeted: "We condemn the bullying actions of the Myanmar military regime in London yesterday, and I pay tribute to Kyaw Zwar Minn for his courage.
"The UK continues to call for an end to the coup and the appalling violence, and a swift restoration of democracy.”
The Myanmar authorities have confirmed Kyaw Zwar Minn has been formally terminated, but have not had notification of his replacement.
Labour is calling on Raab to explain why he accepted the dismissal by the regime and said the diplomat should get "support and protection".
Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Having executed a brutal coup against a democratically elected government, the Myanmar military junta is now applying the very same strong-arm methods here in the UK.
"The Foreign Secretary must explain why the Government has accepted the dismissal of the Myanmar ambassador by what it recognises is an illegitimate military regime committing appalling violence against its own people."
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