Downing Street slams BBC reporter arrest
DOWNING Street has condemned the “shocking and unacceptable” arrest of a BBC journalist covering Covid protests in
China. The UK has warned Beijing there is “absolutely no excuse” for reporters to be “beaten by the police” after the broadcaster claimed cameraman Edward Lawrence was “attacked” in Shanghai.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly
yesterday described the incident as “deeply disturbing”, while No 10 said journalists “must be able to do their jobs without fear of intimidation”.
Downing Street also urged the Chinese authorities to “respect those who decide to express their views about the current situation”, as citizens take to the streets to oppose the country’s draconian zero-Covid policy.
However, the UK Government said it would not seek to “conflate” its stance on the right to protest with its intention to build “constructive relationships” with China on other issues.
The BBC said Mr Lawrence was “arrested and handcuffed” while covering demonstrations over the Covid restrictions, and then “beaten and kicked” by police.
The PM’s spokesman said: “The arrest of this journalist who was simply going about their work is shocking and unacceptable. Journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear of intimidation.”
Earlier, Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said there can be “absolutely no excuse whatsoever” for a reporter covering the protests in China to be “beaten by the police”.
Mr Cleverly tweeted: “Media freedom and freedom to protest must be respected. No country is exempt.
“The arrest of BBC journalist @EP-Lawrence China is deeply disturbing. Journalists must be able to do their job without intimidation.”
It was reported that China’s foreign ministry contested the BBC statement, claiming Mr Lawrence did not identify himself as a journalist. Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian reportedly said the BBC’s account did not reflect what had happened.