A GOVERNMENT minister has said that the Prime Minister is “looking to close” Confucius Institutes across UK universities over security concerns.
Security minister Tom Tugendhat said the organisations “pose a threat to civil liberties in many universities in the United Kingdom” while speaking in the House of Commons.
The institutes dotted around UK campuses say they are set up to “promote understanding of contemporary China” but have previously been alleged to be used as a means of controlling the behaviour of Chinese students on behalf of the Chinese state.
BREAKING: Security Minister Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) has just confirmed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak "will be looking to close" Confucius Institutes in the UK. pic.twitter.com/tMzrkezk8E
— Sam (@EditorBTB) November 1, 2022
There are Confucius Institutes in the University of Glasgow, Heriot Watt University, University of Aberdeen, University of Strathclyde and the University of Edinburgh.
The announcement follows widespread concerns of extra-judicial Chinese government operations occurring across the country.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon acknowledged concerns that emerged over the Loon Fung takeaway during last week’s FMQs, saying that she had discussed the issue with the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
Sturgeon said: “I agree that these reports are deeply concerning and I want to be very clear that we take them extremely seriously.
“Any foreign country operating in Scotland must abide by Scottish law. The Scottish Government fully supports individuals’ rights to free speech, freedom of expression and that is also an extremely important principle.
The manager of the restaurant denied the reports when approached for comment by The National.
