Foreign Secretary will go to World Cup in Qatar

FOREIGN Secretary James Cleverly has said he will travel to Qatar to attend the World Cup as he faced criticism for telling gay fans not to protest while visiting the country where homosexuality is illegal.

The Cabinet minister gave the first confirmation yesterday that he will attend the football tournament controversially being hosted by the Middle Eastern nation.

Labour MP Chris Bryant accused him of handing gay fans travelling to Qatar a “slap in the face” by telling them to comply with the local laws.

Anyone found participating in same-sex sexual activity in Qatar can be punished by up to seven years in prison, while there are also concerns about thousands of migrant workers having died in Qatar since it won the rights to host the World Cup.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his frontbench are boycotting the tournament - which begins on Sunday - over concerns for LGBTQ rights, the rights of women and for the workers who have lost their lives.

But Mr Cleverly told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee: “I will be going. Because I’m a foreign secretary and it is my job to ensure British visitors stay safe.”

He added: “I’ve visited Qatar in the lead-up to the World Cup and when I go to the World Cup I will be speaking to the security authorities to ensure that English and Welsh and whatever other British fans who are going to the World Cup remain safe.”

Mr Bryant pressed the Foreign Secretary on whether he would advise gay fans to demonstrate while in Qatar.

Mr Ceverly said: “No I wouldn’t. When British nationals travel overseas they should respect the laws of their host country.”