Foreign Secretary (): In October, I summoned
China’s Acting Ambassador to the Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office to demand an explanation for an incident that
had occurred outside the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester.
Soon afterwards, His Majesty’s Ambassador in Beijing also sought
an explanation from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Images carried on social media showed what appeared to be
completely unacceptable behaviour by a number of individuals near
the entrance to the consular premises. The right of free
expression - including the right to protest and to speak one’s
mind - is absolutely essential to our democratic life.
Given the seriousness of this matter, it was correct and
appropriate for Greater Manchester Police to take the decision to
begin an investigation. Earlier this month, the Police informed
the FCDO that they wished to interview the Chinese Consul General
and five of his staff. They asked the FCDO to request the Chinese
Government to waive the immunity of those individuals to enable
the interviews to take place.
The FCDO made this request and gave the Chinese Government one
week to comply. In response, the Chinese Embassy, acting on
instructions from Beijing, notified His Majesty’s Government that
the functions of the Consul General in Manchester have come to an
end and he has returned to China. The Embassy has further
notified us that the other staff involved in the incident who the
Police wish to interview have either left the United Kingdom or
will shortly do so.
Throughout this episode, I have sought to emphasise that we in
the UK abide by the rule of law, follow due process and respect
the operational independence of our police. It was right to
allow their investigation to proceed so that we could respond on
the basis of evidence and facts, rather than images on social
media. I am grateful for the professionalism shown by the Greater
Manchester Police, particularly given the complexities involved
due to the immunities held by the staff.
We have been clear with China from the outset that we were
prepared to take firm action should the police determine that
there was a case to charge officials for their involvement in the
incident. We expect a certain standard of behaviour from all
foreign diplomats and consular staff in the UK regardless of
their privileges and immunities.
The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations allows States to
withdraw members of a consular post at any point, as has happened
here. However, I am disappointed that these individuals will not
be interviewed or face justice. Nonetheless, it is right that
those responsible for the disgraceful scenes in Manchester are no
longer – or will shortly cease to be - consular staff accredited
to the UK.
