A pro-democracy protester from Hong Kong was beaten after breaking into the Chinese consulate in Manchester on Sunday.Unidentified men came out of the consulate and forced a man inside the compound, before he escaped with the help of police and other protesters.”They dragged me in, they beat me,” protesters told. A spokesman for the consulate said the protesters had displayed an insulting picture of the Chinese president.The Foreign Office said it was seeking an immediate clarification on the incident. Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation.
Speaking after the incident, the protester, called Bob, told that “mainlanders” – people from mainland China, as opposed to Hong Kong – came out of the consulate and destroyed their posters.
“When we tried to stop them, they dragged me in, they beat me,” he said, adding that he was then taken out by UK police.”It’s ridiculous. They [the attackers] shouldn’t have done that. We should be free to say whatever we want here [in the UK].”The crowd went berserk after the incident. Demonstrators shouted at the consulate men and British police, saying they could have done more.
Consulate staff had earlier asked the protesters to move to the opposite side of the road.Two police officers were present at the demonstration, but several more appeared within minutes of the clash.They gathered at the gate of the compound trying to end the fight and push back the protesters.A police officer entered the consulate grounds and pulled out the man who had been dragged inside.At least eight men – some wearing helmets and protective vests – then returned to the consulate building.The consulate is on UK territory, but cannot be entered without consent. Any offense committed on diplomatic premises is subject to UK law, but employees may enjoy diplomatic immunity.Reacting on Twitter, former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said the UK government should demand a full apology from the Chinese ambassador, and that those involved should be sent back to China.
