The John Afrique magazine linked the resignation of Liz Truss from her position as British Prime Minister, with the recent visit of Libya’s Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha to London. The magazine claimed that the resignation came moments, before a “scandal” erupted.
According to the French magazine, veteran lobbyist Mark Fullbrook, the Chief of Staff of Downing Street was revealed to have pressured British ministers including then Foreign Minister, Liz Truss to recognise Fathi Bashagha as the “legitimate Prime Minister of Libya.”
Bashagha is endeavouring to obtain international support that would give him legitimacy in the face of the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
In its report, the British newspaper “The Times” revealed details of a failed attempt by Bashagha, who was appointed by the Libyan Parliament earlier this year, to prompt the British government to recognize him as the legitimate PM of Libya.
Fullbrook, who previously ran his own lobbying company, was pressing the UK government to diverge from the official stance taken by the UN and US, and recognise Bashagha.
Fullbrook, 60, also lobbied Truss, and Priti Patel, then Home Secretary. He told ministers his client could grant access to Libyan oil fields, and stop the flow of migrants into Europe in exchange for recognition.
During the trip, Fullbrook organised a meeting and photo opportunity with two cabinet ministers, Nadhim Zahawi and Kwasi Kwarteng.
In another report, the Guardian said that the Labour Party has claimed Fullbrook’s position as Downing Street Chief of Staff is “no longer tenable” after his attempts to influence British foreign policy.