Six Chinese officials wanted for police questioning over the assault of a protester outside the nation’s consulate in Manchester would 'not be welcome back in the UK' after being withdrawn by Beijing, a foreign minister has said.
Violence erupted outside of the consulate, in Rusholme, south Manchester, on October 16 following a pro-democracy demonstration outside. Protester Bob Chan told a press conference he was 'dragged into the grounds of the consulate' before being 'kicked and punched'.
Greater Manchester Police issued an update on December 14 saying they were continuing to investigate the incident, with the force having 'liaised closely with the Home Office and other departments in Government throughout this investigation'.
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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon made his comments as he was tackled in Parliament over whether the diplomats, including consul general Zheng Xiyuan, had been declared 'personae non gratae'.
The Manchester Evening News reported last week that Chinese diplomats who reportedly 'attacked' protestors outside the consulate in south Manchester had 'fled the UK' since the incident.
Six diplomats were understood have left the UK two months after the incident, with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announcing that the Chinese consul general, Zheng Xiyuan, and five of his staff who police wanted to question, are leaving the country.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly previously said he is 'disappointed' the individuals will not face justice over the attack on Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Bob Chan. Beijing insisted the departure of the consul general was a 'normal rotation'.
Greater Manchester Police wanted to interview Zheng Xiyuan and five of his staff over the attack in October. The Foreign Office had requested Beijing waive the diplomatic immunity of the individuals to allow the interviews to take place.
Labour frontbencher Lord Collins of Highbury said: “Their withdrawal is a clear admission of guilt.”
He pressed the minister on their status to 'avoid those individuals being able to repeat such attacks on peaceful demonstrators in this country'.
Responding, Lord Ahmad said: “At no time in our conversations with the Chinese embassy did we ask them to remove their diplomats. It was right that there was a police investigation and then, based on police advice, we asked for the immunities to be waived.”
On the issue of whether they were 'persona non grata', the minister told peers: “I can confirm that the consul general and the five other staff who the police had identified have now left the UK and are no longer accredited consular staff in the UK. It is right that they are no longer here.
“We have been clear that the consul general and the others would not be welcome to do any further posting here in the UK.”
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