Beijing Recalls Diplomats Wanted for Questioning by UK Police Over Consulate Assault

Hongkongers holding a rally outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester, UK, were dragged into the consulate and beaten by the staff, on Oct. 16, 2022. Screenshot via Hong Kong Indigenous Defense Force

UK police earlier this month sought to interview six Chinese diplomats over an assault on a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester in Manchester, only to find the officials had either left the country or were about to do so, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Dec. 14.

Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Alicia Kearns said the protester who was “grievously assaulted” has been denied justice by the diplomats’ escape, and called on the government to declare them persona non grata.