BURNLEY MP Peter Pike is urging the Government to press the Turkish authorities to reopen an inquiry into the alleged rape of a teenage constituent who was on holiday in the country.

He is deeply alarmed at the way local police in the resort of Bodrum handled the case, deepening the girl's distress.

The backbencher has now written to the Government asking them to do all they can to get the Turks to reopen the case.

He is also urging travel company Sunworld of Leeds to do the same and has told them he is unhappy with their advice to the girl not to press charges but come straight home.

Mr Pike also wants the Government to be more explicit in its warnings to young holidaymakers of the dangers of being alone and away from main resort areas.

He spoke out after seeing the girl - not a British national - and her family in Burnley. She has been interviewed by Lancashire police in the town who are understood to be very concerned at the incident and its handling in Turkey.

Mr Pike said: "The girl has been through an appalling ordeal."

A Foreign Office spokesman there was nothing British authorities could do as the girl was a foreign national, but the relevant embassies in Britain and Turkey had been told of the incident and contact details had been sent to the family of the victim.

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