Bob Chan is pulled at the gate of the Chinese consulate in Manchester
(Picture: via REUTERS)A man has said he was dragged into Chinese consulate grounds after protesting for Hong Kong’s democracy in Manchester on Sunday.
Bob Chan told a news conference he was not trying to break into the building but was dragged onto the ground and beaten - with his injuries requiring hospital treatment.
He told the conference organised by British MPs that he was beaten by masked men outside the consulate.
The men, he said, were trying to take down a display of banners as around 40 people demonstrated.
The consulate is on UK soil, but cannot be entered without consent. Mr Chan was adamant he was forced in, rather than entered forcefully.
He said: "I found myself being dragged into the grounds of the consulate.
"I held onto the gates where I was kicked and punched, I could not hold on for long.
"I was eventually pulled onto the ground of the consulate. I felt punches and kicks from several men. Other protestors were trying to get me out of this situation, but to no avail.”
He said the ordeal stopped when a plain clothes police officer intervened and pulled him away.
"Let me say it again so I am clear,” he added. “I was dragged into the consulate, I did not attempt to enter the consulate."
Greater Manchester Police seconded Mr Chan’s account with their own statement, which said he was assaulted.
"Due to our fears for the safety of the man, officers intervened and removed the victim from the consulate grounds,” a spokesman added.
The demonstrators - many of whom were from Hong Kong - were protesting as the ruling Communist Party congress began in Beijing.
A spokesperson for the consulate said the protesters had “hung an insulting portrait of the Chinese president at the main entrance”.
Beijing later claimed its consulate staff were subjected to harassment and said there were attempts to enter the consulate grounds.
China has “made representations” to the UK government to increase protection for its diplomatic staff.
