China pulls out diplomats who allegedly assaulted a Hong Kong democracy protester outside Manchester consulate
China has recalled six officials wanted for police questioning over the assault of a protester outside the nation’s consulate in Manchester, the Foreign Secretary has said.
James Cleverly said he is "disappointed" the individuals including consul general zheng Xiyuan will not face justice over the attack on Hong Kong prodemocracy campaigner Bob Chan.
Alicia Kearns, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, accused the diplomats of having "fled the UK like cowards".
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 asked Beijing to waive the diplomatic immunity of the individuals to allow the interviews to take place.
Mr Cleverly said: "We informed the Chinese embassy of that and we set a deadline which expired today, making it clear that we expected them to take action.
"In response to our request, the Chinese government have now removed from the UK those officials, including the consul general himself."
Mr Cleverly noted that the Vienna Convention allows state store move consular membersat any point, but said:"i am disappointed that these individuals will not be interviewed or face justice.
"Nonetheless, it is right that those responsible for the disgraceful scenes in Manchester are no longer – or will shortly cease to be – consular staff accredited to the UK.”
Mr Chen feared he "might be beaten to death" after being dragged into the grounds of the consulate as a scuffle broke out during protests, but he was rescued by police.
Yesterday, he said the "withdrawal of these Chinese diplomats gives me a sense of closure" over the "unacceptable and illegal" attack.
Sir iain duncan smith, the co chair of the Inter-parliamentary Alliance on China, said :" The flagrant assault on a peaceful democracy campaigner in Manchester needs more than allowing those responsible to leave the UK uncharged and with their heads held high.
"Letting china take them back isn't justice. We should have kicked them out weeks ago."