Responding to news that the Indian Prime Minister has cancelled his plans to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka this week, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander said:

“In light of reports that the Indian Prime Minister is now considering joining the Canadian Prime Minister in not attending CHOGM because of concerns over human rights, David Cameron must now urgently consider reversing his decision to attend the summit in Sri Lanka this week.

"The Government’s policy has descended into confusion following reports that David Cameron assured Tamil representatives that he would consider downgrading Britain’s presence at the summit.

"If the Prime Minister is still refusing to consider downgrading the British delegation, despite reports to the contrary, he must now explain this decision given other Commonwealth leaders are prepared to take a different approach.

"For months Labour has urged the Government to do more to raise Britain’s concern over human rights in Sri Lanka in the run up to the summit.

"If the Prime Minister now chose to reverse his decision to attend the summit - even at this late stage - he would have Labour’s full support.”