Keith Vaz steps down:APPGT in quandary

(May 29, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) in the British parliament is said to be in a state of uncertainty following revelation of its exclusive pro-LTTE stand of undermining the wider views of the Tamils in the United Kingdom.

APPGT was formed with the involvement of Hon Keith Vaz MP and Hon Simon Hughes MP. The LTTE front British Tamil Forum (BTF) was the steering wheel of this group and as a result only pro-LTTE views were reflected by the APPGT. The parliamentary group is accused of acting in a determined way to avoid dealing with the wider views of the Tamils in the UK and acting in a prejudicial manner to prevent any other Tamil groups engaging with them.

APPGT’s founder Chairman was Hon Keith Vaz MP. He soon felt the pressures of the wider Tamil community and had to give into the pressures to relieve himself from holding the position as Chairman. According to information reaching from parliamentary circles Keith Vaz MP had asked his deputy Simon Hughes to act as Chairman for the group. It is now confirmed that Simon Hughes MP too refused to become the Chairman fearing being branded as a pro-LTTE man.

Following stepping down of Keith Vaz MP and Simon Hughes MP’s refusal to become the President, the APPGT is functioning like a headless chicken. The APPGT is maintaining secrecy about their moves and for the past two weeks they have not made any public statements or informed any of the Tamil contact groups about the situation facing the APPGT.

Image:Hon Simon Hughes MP with the blue eyed lady Miss Eliza Mann of the LTTE (left)

The Pro-LTTE Keith Vaz MP in a determined way represented the LTTE front BTF to the extent of permitting unlimited access to its leader Senthilkumar to direct the activities of the APPGT. Keith Vaz MP has been accused of acting against the interests of the Tamil people by being directed by the LTTE front.
- Sri Lanka Guardian