LONDON: Foreign Office minister Zac Goldsmith has broken with government practice by speaking out in support of former prime minister Imran Khan who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly early Sunday.
Following the dramatic events in Islamabad, Lord Goldsmith — whose elder sister Jemima was married to Khan from 1995 to 2004 — said he was “sad” at the developments in Pakistan.
“Imran Khan is a good and decent man, one of the least corruptible politicians on the world stage,” the Conservative peer posted on Twitter.
Sad to see last night’s events in Pakistan.
Imran Khan is a good and decent man, one of the least corruptible politicians on the world stage.
I have no doubt he will be returned with a big majority in the upcoming elections.— Zac Goldsmith (@ZacGoldsmith) April 10, 2022
“I have no doubt he will be returned with a big majority in the upcoming elections.”
Downing Street Monday stopped short of rebuking the Tory peer for his comments, but confirmed that it was normally the case that the UK government “would not get involved in the domestic political affairs” of another country.
Downing Street was asked whether Lord Goldsmith, who is Foreign Office minister for the Pacific and the international environment, was speaking on behalf of the government.
A spokesperson responded: “With regard to Pakistan, we respect Pakistan’s democratic system and we would not get into its domestic political affairs.
“We have longstanding ties with Pakistan and are monitoring developments.”
The spokesperson was unable to say whether Lord Goldsmith would be told to take down his tweet or make clear it was issued in a personal capacity.
The Goldsmith family are close to the family of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In October last, Johnson enjoyed a free stay at the holiday home of Lord Goldsmith’s family in southern Spain.
A week-long stay at the villa was reported to usually cost as much as £25,000.
Johnson’s wife, Carrie Johnson, is also a close friend of Lord Goldsmith, who she worked for in her first job in politics.
