A protester who was allegedly attacked by staff outside the Chinese Consulate in Rusholme says he ‘feels empty’ and reportedly had hair pulled from his scalp.
The man, named Bob, was speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald earlier today about the incident on Sunday (October 16). He was being translated by his wife, Kimmy.
His comments come as another pro-Hong Kong protester called the situation ‘ridiculous’, which saw several people march out of the Chinese Consulate on Denison Road to take banners from the demonstration. Police officers intervened in the incident, but as of Monday lunchtime, GMP has yet to make a formal statement on the matter.
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“I was just thinking how to protect myself and get myself out of the gardens because when I am in their garden they can do whatever they want to me in there,” Bob said. The second protester, who is anonymous, added: “They dragged me inside, they beat me up.
“It’s ridiculous. They shouldn’t have done that. We are supposed to have freedom to say whatever we want here [in the UK].”
In the fall-out of the incident, 10 Downing Street has described the reports as ‘deeply concerning’, while other MPs, like Afzhal Khan who represents the area, hit out at the actions.
“I’m absolutely appalled that a Hong Kong protester was beaten up by the Chinese consulate in my constituency,” Mr Khan, Labour, tweeted. “The Chinese authorities cannot use intimidation and abuse in Manchester or anywhere else. I’ll be raising this matter immediately.”
Andrew Gwynne, MP for nearby Denton, added: “This would be unacceptable on the streets of Hong Kong and against the provisions of the Joint Declaration to uphold democratic rights and freedoms. BUT this is Manchester. The British Government needs to urgently call the Chinese Ambassador in to answer for this act of violence.”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, also shared his thoughts. In a statement, he said: "What took place yesterday outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester was deeply worrying and has no place in a city region like ours that prides itself on peoples’ right to protest peacefully. Greater Manchester Police immediately started a full investigation and are in close touch with the Home Office and Foreign Office.
“It is important that the full facts surrounding this incident are established and for that we will need to wait for the investigation to conclude. However, on the basis of what I have seen, I want to make clear that it is never acceptable for peaceful protestors to be assaulted and those responsible need to be held to account for their actions.”
And Alicia Kearns MP, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Commons, said: “Suella Braverman and James Cleverly need to urgently investigate.
“The CCP will not import their beating of protestors and denial of free speech to British streets. Chinese Ambassador should be summoned & if any official has beaten protesters, they must be expelled or prosecuted.”
Greater Manchester Police, the UK Foreign Office, and the Chinese Consulate in Manchester have been contacted for comment.
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