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UK PM Defends EU-Turkey Deal Amid Tory Party Row

© AFP 2023 / Justin TallisBritish Prime Minister David Cameron (L) shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on the steps of No 10 Downing Street in central London on Janurary 18, 2016.
British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on the steps of No 10 Downing Street in central London on Janurary 18, 2016. - Sputnik International
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Britain’s Prime Minister has defended the controversial deal agreed between Turkey and the European Union in the House of Commons after announcing that Turkish citizens "are not getting visa-free access to the UK. We are not bound by that decision."

The Prime Minister's position on the "dirty deal” was missing from weekend newspapers after the cabinet member for work and pensions Iain Duncan Smith announced his resignation from the Conservative party just hours after the President of the EU, Donald Tusk, announced the "unanimous" agreement between the EU and Turkey to stop the influx of migrants reaching Europe.

David Cameron (L) and Iain Duncan Smith attend a meeting. - Sputnik International
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This left the British media with little choice but to focus on the infighting of the Tory government rather than the EU's new pact with Turkey.

However, speculation is mounting that the real reason behind Mr Duncan Smith's decision to resign had more to do with his support for leaving the EU – and not because of his compassion for disabled workers. An accusation Mr Duncan Smith denies. 

Mr Duncan Smith told reporters over the weekend that he could no longer support the cuts to disability benefits while taxes for higher earners and companies are being lowered.  

Iain Duncan Smith has previously made himself clear on his feelings should Turkey become a member of the EU. Speaking recently to London newspaper The Times Mr Duncan Smith said: "The end result of this deal will be to move the border of the European Union from Greece to Syria.

"They are facing a massive migration problem and Turkey seems to be able to demand anything at once and get it. That doesn’t say much for our influence or common sense. Putting the border next to Syria doesn’t seem to be the right way to approach this."

As part of the EU-Turkey deal, Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu demanded three billion more euros to be given to the country from the EU over the next two years, visa-free access to the bloc for 75 million Turkish citizens and negotiations to resume on Turkey’s accession to the EU. 

A Turkish Kurd holds a flag during the funeral of three Kurdish fighters killed during clashes in Kobani, in this October 23, 2014. - Sputnik International
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The EU agreed to Davutoglu’s demands and in return Turkey will take back every migrant who arrives in Greece. 

The question remains whether Iain Duncan Smith's resignation will more damaging to David Cameron's campaign to remain 'in' the EU or whether the unanimous decision made by the EU to welcome Turkey as one of its members will encourage a unanimous Brexit, despite the assurance from the PM that Turkish citizens will not get visa-free access to the UK.    

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