TURKEY’S ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP) has been accused of “political bankruptcy” over a piece of political theatre in which Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu resigned, only to be told to stay on.

Late on Sunday, Mr Soylu issued an “emotional apology”for his mishandling of the lockdown of 31 of Turkey’s major cities two nights before.

Only a few hours’ notice was given of the measure, leading to chaos and confusion on the streets as people desperately tried to make their way home.

Mr Soylu assumed responsibility for the fiasco in a message on social media. He said his “irresponsible actions” had caused “embarrassment” to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and offered to stand down.

But his resignation was rejected by the president and the government, following which the government said that Mr Soylu should remain in post and help lead Turkey’s fight against Covid-19.

The opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) said the resignation offer was a bid to “save Erdogan,” alleging that Mr Soylu had ordering the lockdown on Mr Erdogan’s instructions.

It said that the drama could not mask the “political bankruptcy” of the ruling coalition, whose disastrous handling of the coronavirus pandemic has put the population in greater danger.

The fiasco has exposed serious weaknesses in the ruling elite, showing that Mr Erdogan is the hostage of political and sectarian factions that hold key posts in his cabinet.

Mr Soylu is believed to be close to the former police chief and justice minister Mehmet Agar, whose supporters constitute a powerful force in Turkey’s deep state.

Mr Erdogan required their help to overcome conflict with the so-called Feto group — supporters of exiled Islamist cleric Fetahullah Gulen — and the failed coup attempt of July 2016.

Turkey has reported nearly 57,000 cases of Covid-19 and 1,198 deaths, although the true figures are believed to be far higher.

Despite a desperate shortage of protective equipment, Turkey delivered supplies to Britain over the weekend, including 100,000 surgical masks and 59,000 N95 masks.

A month earlier, Britain made a similar donation to Turkish occupation forces in northern Syria.