Melton MP to represent Britain at service for Fidel Castro in Cuba

JPNS-16-02-12-039 FIDEL CASTRO

In this photo released by the state media Cubadebate web site, Fidel Castro attends a meeting with scientists in Havana, Cuba, Monday Aug. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Cubadebate) EMN-161129-142045001 — JPNS-16-02-12-039 FIDEL CASTRO In this photo released by the state media Cubadebate web site, Fidel Castro attends a meeting with scientists in Havana, Cuba, Monday Aug. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Cubadebate) EMN-161129-142045001

Sir Alan is attending the event in the capital, Havana, in his role as Foreign Office minister, in the absence of Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

The remains of the former president, who claimed power in 1959 after leading a bloody revolution, have lain at the city’s Jose Marti Memorial in the Plaza de la Revolución.

Castro’s casket will be transported, after today’s service in the plaza, around the country on a 900km tour to Santiago de Cuba, where his advance to take power began 57 years ago.

A spokesperson for Mr Duncan’s Melton office said: “Sir Alan is attending the service for Castro and is expected to fly home on Thursday.”