The Foreign Secretary has demanded a top-level explanation from China after 'apparent scenes of violence' against Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed after video footage was shared online that it was investigating the assault of a man at the Chinese Consulate in Rusholme, Manchester, on Sunday afternoon. A protest erupted into violence and police were called.
Video footage shared widely across social media appeared to show a scuffle as police officers swarmed the area trying to diffuse the situation. There's been widespread upset and condemnation after the footage also appeared to show one of the Hong Kong protesters being dragged beyond the gates into the grounds of the consulate and assaulted, with banners and placards also said to have been vandalised.
Greater Manchester Police said around 30 to 40 people had gathered outside the consulate on Denison Road. In a statement, the force said: "Shortly before 4pm a small 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.
"The man, aged in his 30s, suffered several physical injuries and remained in hospital overnight for treatment. He is continuing to receive our support for his welfare."
Foreign Office minister, Jesse Norman, said Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, has now issued a summons to the Chinese charge d'affaires (the ambassador's deputy) in London to demand an explanation for the actions of consular staff in Manchester after what he called 'apparent scenes of violence' against Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters.
Mr Norman, responding to an urgent question in the Commons, said Greater Manchester Police had been notified of a demonstration and 'intervened to restore order'.
He said: "The House will know His Majesty's Government is extremely concerned at the apparent scenes of violence at the consulate of the People's Republic of China in Manchester on Sunday afternoon. I understand that Greater Manchester Police has launched an investigation to establish the facts of the incident.
"The Foreign Secretary has issued a summons to the Chinese charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in London to express His Majesty’s Government’s deep concern at the incident and to demand an explanation for the actions of the consulate staff.
"It'd be inappropriate to go into further detail until the investigation has concluded, but let me be clear that peaceful protest - as this House has always recognised - is a fundamental part of British society and of our way of life.
"All those on our soil have the right to express their views peacefully without fear of violence. FCDO officials expressed that clearly to the Chinese embassy yesterday. We will continue to work with the Home Office and Greater Manchester Police colleagues to decide on appropriate next steps."
Conservative chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns, described events in Manchester as a “chilling escalation”.
She said: “On Sunday these peaceful protesters gathered outside the Chinese consulate to campaign for human rights in Hong Kong. What we saw was the Chinese consul general then ripping down posters and peaceful protest and soon followed grievous bodily harm against a Hongkonger, one of whom was hospitalised for taking part in a peaceful protest.
“Some were then dragged onto consulate territory for a further beating by officials who have been recognised to be members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). We cannot allow the CCP to import their beating of protesters, their silencing of free speech and their failure to allow time and time again protests on British soil. This is a chilling escalation.”
The alleged victim, called Bob, said he reportedly had hair pulled from his scalp as he spoke out yesterday. “I was just thinking how to protect myself and get myself out of the gardens because when I am in their garden they can do whatever they want to me in there,” Bob said, adding: “They dragged me inside, they beat me up.
“It’s ridiculous. They shouldn’t have done that. We are supposed to have freedom to say whatever we want here [in the UK].”
Conservative former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called on the Government to expel consulate staff if they are found to be responsible for “that punishment beating” in Manchester.
Chinese officials, meanwhile, said 'troublemakers illegally entered' the grounds of the consulate. The AFP news agency quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin as saying: "The troublemakers illegally entered the Chinese Consulate-General in Manchester, endangering the security of the premises."
He reportedly urged the UK to 'earnestly fulfil its duties and take effective measures to step up protection of the premises and personnel of the Chinese embassy and consulates."
It is understood a group of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters had organised a peaceful protest outside of the Consulate in Manchester in response to the 20th National Congress of Chinese Communist Party being held.
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