A Hong Kong pro-democracy protester was apparently beaten inside the grounds of the Chinese consulate in Manchester on Sunday, according to footage circulating on social media.
Video footage appeared to show a man being assaulted as police officers tried to break up the chaotic scenes on Sunday afternoon.
Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, told The Telegraph that the Chinese embassy must issue a “full apology” over the incident and said the individuals involved should be expelled from the UK.
He said: “I will certainly raise this in the House. It’s very simple – that is unacceptable, those individuals need to be sent home and there needs to be a full and unabashed apology from the Chinese ambassador because it’s absolutely appalling.”
Commenting on the police officer who approached the crowd battering a protester but appeared slow to intervene, he said: “I guess that like everything else the police are endlessly conflicted and are probably worried about a diplomatic incident. But this is on British soil, for God’s sake.”
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police are aware of an incident that took place at around 3pm on Sunday 16 October 2022 at the Chinese Consulate in Manchester involving Hong Kong protestors.
“Officers responded immediately to diffuse the situation and enquiries are ongoing at this time to understand the full circumstances.
“A police patrol plan is in place in the area following this incident.”
‘Force and violence ‘not tolerable’
A statement from a local business group, the Trafford Hongkongers CIC, said: “We express our deep concern on an incident in Manchester today (16th October 2022).
“We can see from the video clip that a Chinese Consulate staff member is trying to destroy private properties of the peaceful Hongkonger protesters.
“What’s more? We see from the video clip that Hongkongers were kidnapped into the Chinese Consulate areas by members of Chinese Consulate staff.
“We believe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and our Foreign Secretary James Cleverly MP must inquire with the Chinese Consulate why it could happen in Manchester today.
“Any brute force and violence to peaceful protesters are not tolerable.
“Our thoughts are with those Hongkonger protesters in Manchester.”