Prime minister also uses last leg of diplomatic tour to issue warning to Turkish president to respect human rights obligations

Theresa May issued a stern warning to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about respecting human rights yesterday as she prepared to sign a £100m fighter jet deal that Downing Street hopes will lead to Britain becoming Turkey’s main defence partner. I’m proud that the UK stood with you on 15 July last year in defence of democracy, and now it is important that Turkey sustains that democracy by maintaining the rule of law and upholding its international human rights obligations as the government has undertaken to do.”

Erdoğan said the two countries would press ahead with talks aimed at boosting business ties, adding that he hoped that trade between the two countries, now worth $15bn, could soon reach $20bn. The fawning images and uncritical support are not just a propaganda victory for Erdoğan; they’re a slap in the face for human rights campaigners and political prisoners across Turkey.”

Speaking before the prime minister’s arrival in Turkey, Amnesty International’s UK director, Kate Allen, said the visit was a “vital opportunity” for May to ask “probing questions” about allegations of excessive use of force and ill-treatment of detainees by Erdoğan’s security forces. Economies flourish in free societies.”

Human rights not on the agenda for Theresa May's visit to Turkey Read more

The prime minister, who had earlier laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, said: “This agreement underlines once again that Britain is a great, global trading nation and that we are open for business.”

Andrew Smith, of Campaign Against Arms Trade, said the deal signed with Turkey confirmed that the UK was prepared to sell weapons to countries that flouted international human rights laws. “It marks the start of a new and deeper trading relationship with Turkey and will potentially secure British and Turkish jobs and prosperity for decades to come.” BAE Systems chief executive Ian King, added: “BAE Systems is a leader in designing, manufacturing and supporting fighter aircraft and is in an excellent position to contribute technical and engineering expertise and experience of managing complex projects to this key Turkish programme.“ The deal to develop the jet had been on hold after the attempted coup against President Erdogan in July and the sales come amid mounting concerns about the abuse of human rights. Under the deal signed in Ankara during a visit by British Prime Minister Theresa May, BAE Systems and state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) will establish a partnership for the development of the TF-X fighter jet.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sign a £100 million defense deal to build new fighter jets. Under the deal, BAE Systems will collaborate with Turkish companies to build the TAI TFX.