A member of Parliament from the Liberal Democrat party has been denied entry into Hong Kong and believes it was a deliberate attempt to silence her. Wera Hobhouse, the MP for Bath, was on her way to visit her son and newborn grandson when she was detained, questioned, and ultimately deported upon arrival. Hobhouse, who is part of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), a group critical of Beijing’s human rights practices, expressed her frustration at the lack of explanation for her expulsion.
During an interview on BBC’s Newscast show, Hobhouse shared that she and her husband were eagerly anticipating their visit to see their son, who resides in Hong Kong. While her husband was swiftly processed and allowed entry, Hobhouse was subjected to hours of questioning before being sent back on a return flight. Despite her relatively subdued stance on China, Hobhouse emphasized that she has every right to advocate for values such as human rights, liberty, and democracy, even if it means facing intimidation tactics.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has pledged to raise the issue with authorities in both Hong Kong and Beijing, demanding an explanation for Hobhouse’s treatment. The Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Ed Davey, has called for diplomatic action, stressing that the Chinese government should not be permitted to undermine democratic principles by targeting parliamentarians. Amid a series of similar incidents involving politicians being denied entry to various countries, Hobhouse highlighted the concerning erosion of diplomatic norms and the need for a more vigilant approach towards China’s intentions.
Reflecting on the timing of the incident coinciding with the UK government’s efforts to gain control of the Chinese-owned British Steel plant in Scunthorpe, Lincs, Hobhouse urged for a cautious and clear-eyed assessment of China’s motives. She cautioned against being overly accommodating to Chinese interests, particularly in critical sectors like national infrastructure. The Chinese Embassy has yet to provide a statement regarding the incident involving Hobhouse, who has decided against seeking permission to enter Hong Kong through official channels, opting to meet her relatives elsewhere for the time being
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