Chinese Consul General: Manchester Protest

Question

The shadow minister criticised the Chinese consulate's actions regarding an assault on a peaceful protester, Bob Chan. He highlighted Mr Chan’s fear for his safety after being attacked by consulate staff and emphasised that the consul general admitted to pulling Mr Chan’s hair and tearing his scalp. The shadow urged the Government to make it clear that any consular individual involved in such violent acts will be made persona non grata and sent back to China, irrespective of criminal proceedings. He called for the Foreign Secretary to take a strong stance against this incident without concern for potential retaliation.

Question

I thank the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) for securing this urgent question, for yesterday’s interview with Mr Chan and for his work on this matter. This is yet another complete failure by the Government. Instead of making a statement to this House, Members have had to secure a second urgent question. What is more concerning is the outrageous admission of the Chinese consul general that he did, in fact, assault Hong Kong democracy protesters in Manchester, which he described as his duty.

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I welcome this urgent question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green. It is clear that the House is unhappy with the course that the Government have taken and I must challenge the Minister on some of the comments he has made this morning. It is not “apparent” involvement; there are no ifs or buts here.

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This is a serious diplomatic incident. As others have said, the violent clash between pro-democracy protesters and officials at the Chinese consulate is disturbing and goes directly against the tenets of diplomacy, freedom of speech and protest.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the steadfast support that you have continued to show those of us sanctioned by China.

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Yesterday, I joined Bob Chan in a press conference in which he bravely detailed his awful ordeal in my constituency. In an interview with Sky News reporter Inzy Rashid, the Chinese consul general in Manchester confirmed that the footage did show him destroying banners and assaulting a protester, which he argued was his “duty”.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your continued efforts in helping us to hold the Chinese to account in this House. There is another protest this weekend in Manchester.

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The Minister is being ridiculous, citing Article 41 of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations which states that diplomats must respect the laws of the receiving state. The Crown Prosecution Service says this applies when there is sufficient evidence for court proceedings. Given the video and admission, why isn't the Government making those involved 'persona non grata' now?

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If this assault had taken place elsewhere, those responsible would be in prison cells and before magistrates. Every day these individuals remain on British soil is a disgrace. Why can't the decision to expel them be made now?

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Welcoming the Minister to his post as a decent man, he talks about diplomatic niceties but those are long past. Shouldn't he say to the ambassador to get back to Britain for a meeting on Monday or preferably tomorrow? The consul general should be expelled immediately.

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What tangible steps are being taken to protect the Hong Kong community, Tibetans and Uyghurs from intimidation and violence on UK soil?

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The right to protest is a British value dating back to 1819, and inaction is gnawing at our moral core. The Government are being sclerotic. What discussions have been had with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, leader of Manchester City Council or Greater Manchester police?

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The Minister characterised the consul general’s comments as absurd, but it was sinister and menacing. The Government must take immediate diplomatic action and reassure Hong Kong nationals of their safety.

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The Minister’s responses make the country look weak and supine. The evidence is clear, there should be urgency.

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The UK has a moral responsibility towards Hong Kong residents under the visa scheme, as well as Uyghurs and Tibetans. Does the Minister accept there is a need for clear action?

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It is difficult to listen to these answers as they do not feel the issue is being dealt with strongly enough. Will the Minister commit to meeting the ambassador and highlighting that such actions will not be tolerated?