Zac Goldsmith breaks government practice to show support for ousted Pakistan PM Imran Khan
FOREIGN minister Zac Goldsmith broke with government practice when he spoke in support of sacked Pakistan premier Imran Khan.
Mr Khan lost a no-confidence vote and MPs in Islamabad replaced him as prime minister with Shehbaz Sharif. Lord Goldsmith, whose elder sister Jemima was once married to Mr Khan, said he was "sad" at developments.
He said on his official Twitter feed: "Imran Khan is a good and decent man, one of the least corruptible politicians on the world stage."
Downing Street was asked whether the minister for the Pacific and the international environment was speaking for the Government.
Sad to see last night’s events in Pakistan.
— Zac Goldsmith (@ZacGoldsmith) April 10, 2022
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.
A spokesman said: "With regard to Pakistan, we respect Pakistan's democratic system and we would not get into its domestic political affairs.
"We have long-standing ties with Pakistan and are monitoring developments."