Video:
Tory MPs call for a ‘full apology’ from China’s UK ambassador in wake of Sunday incident.
British MPs are demanding an investigation after a Hong Kong pro-democracy protestor was filmed being dragged into the Chinese Consulate grounds in Manchester and beaten up.
The incident, which happened Sunday and was captured on video, has sparked calls for Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to summon the Chinese ambassador, as well as demands for an apology.
The footage shows unidentified men emerging from the consulate compound, taking down a satirical portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and then dragging inside the man — who later identified himself to the BBC as “Bob.”
As a scuffle ensues at the gates of the consulate, the men land a series of blows on the protestor inside.
“Several mainlanders came out and destroyed our props,” Bob told the BBC, using a term to refer to people from mainland China. “When we tried to stop them I was dragged inside and attacked. Some police officers dragged me out.”
The altercation has enraged Conservative MPs, many of whom are increasingly hawkish on China.
“This is deeply worrying,” former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith wrote on Twitter. He called on No. 10 Downing Street to “demand a full apology” from China’s ambassador to the U.K. and “demand those responsible are sent home to China.”
That was echoed by Alicia Kearns, a fellow Conservative MP who chairs the House of Commons foreign affairs committee. She said the Chinese Communist Party “will not import their beating of protestors and denial of free speech to British streets.”
Kearns warned that “if any official has beaten protesters, they must be expelled or prosecuted,” and shared a photograph of the incident on social media which she said “suggests that protestors were assaulted, and that the Consul General had full sight, and quite possibly was involved, in the assaults.”
Calls for a response also came from the opposition Labour Party.
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “Reports that a pro-democracy protestor was allegedly assaulted in the grounds of the Chinese consulate in Manchester are deeply concerning and, if accurate, totally unacceptable.”
He added: “The foreign secretary should urgently summon the Chinese ambassador to demand an explanation for the incident. The U.K. stands for freedom, the rule of law and democracy. The quashing of peaceful protest will never be tolerated on our streets.”
Responding to the footage, U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss’ official spokesperson said: “These reports are obviously deeply concerning. I understand Greater Manchester Police responded immediately to the incident so it would be inappropriate for me to comment beyond that. They have stepped up patrols in the area.” #bobchan
Tiong beat Tiong, nothing wrong.
I was dragged into China consulate, protester Bob Chan says
A protester says he was not trying to enter Manchester's Chinese consulate during a pro-democracy demonstration that saw violent scenes on Sunday.
Bob Chan told a news conference he was dragged on to the consulate grounds and beaten by men, leaving him with injuries requiring hospital treatment.
It comes after a British MP accused one of China's most senior UK diplomats of being involved.
But consul-general Zheng Xiyuan has denied he attacked the protester.
Amid the growing row, China has claimed there were attempts at illegal entry.
Speaking at a news conference organised on Wednesday by several British MPs, Mr Chan, a Hongkonger, said he was left physically and mentally hurt by Sunday's incident.
He described being beaten by masked men outside the consulate, some of whom he said were trying to take down a display of banners.
"I then found myself being dragged into the grounds of the consulate. I held on to the gates where I was kicked and punched, I could not hold on for long," he said.
"I was eventually pulled onto the ground of the consulate. I felt punches and kicks from several men.
Other protesters were trying to get me out of this situation, but to no avail.
"The attack only stopped when a man who turned out to be a uniformed officer from the Greater
Manchester Police pulled me outside the gates.
"Let me say it again so I am clear: I was dragged into the consulate, I did not attempt to enter the consulate."
Police in Manchester have said up to 40 protesters gathered outside the consulate - a smaller diplomatic office that is UK territory but cannot be entered without consent.
At about 16:00 BST, Greater Manchester Police said a group of men "came out of the building and a man was dragged into the consulate grounds and assaulted".
"Due to our fears for the safety of the man, officers intervened and removed the victim from the consulate grounds," a statement said.
Mr Chan spoke of his shock at the incident and told of his fear for family members still in Hong Kong.
"I am shocked because I never thought something like this could happen in the UK. I still believe the UK is a place where free speech and protest are basic human rights.
"No amount of violence or diplomatic pressure will change that. I am hurt physically and mentally," he said.
The demonstrators - many of whom were from Hong Kong - were protesting as the ruling Communist Party congress began in Beijing.
In an interview with Sky News later on Wednesday, consul-general Zheng Xiyuan confirmed that he was present at the protest, but denied that he and his staff attacked people.
"I didn't beat anybody. I didn't let my people beat anybody. The fact is, the so-called protesters beat my people," he said.
A lot more at https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-63318285
Is this a confession by the Consul General??? #bobchan