Government issues protest after BBC journalist is roughed up

DOWNING Street yesterday condemned the “shocking and unacceptable” arrest of a BBC journalist covering Covid protests in China.

The UK government 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 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 across the nation 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”, 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.”

It is reported that China’s foreign ministry contested the BBC statement, claiming Mr Lawrence did not identify himself as a journalist.