The UK Government must stand with Hong Kong protesters

"The violent and repressive scenes we are witnessing in Hong Kong are unacceptable," Newcastle LIberal Democrats Cllr Robin Ashby said, responding to the reports that police clashed with pro-democracy protesters when attempting to disperse them at Hong Kong airport.

"The UK made a promise to the people of Hong Kong in 1997 and we must support the protesters in their fight for democracy and the rule of law.

"What started as a protest against extradition arrangements is now growing into a full-blown democracy movement. Obviously the Chinese Government will see that as a threat, but must show restraint as an important member of the international community and the UN Security Council. But the UK Government must also always be prepared to stand alongside those who stand for democracy.

"There must be an independent investigation into police violence in the region and the dangerous Extradition Bill must be completely withdrawn once and for all. The Conservative Government must stop sitting on their hands and work to ensure this happens before the situation deteriorates even further.

"Liberal Democrats are clear that the UK cannot abandon the people of Hong Kong in their hour of need. We must stand up for their rights and freedoms, and our MPs have been raisng the issues in Parliament."

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael MP secured an Urgent Question on Tuesday 2nd July which was as follows: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on HM Government's response to yesterday's protests in Hong Kong.

He led an Adjournment Debate on the issue of UK Foreign Policy: China and Hong Kong in the House of Commons Chamber on Monday 10th June and also secured an Urgent Question on the issue of the Extradition Bill on 18th June 2019 and another Urgent Question on the issue of democracy in Hong Kong, following the guilty verdict handed to those involved with the 2014 pro-democracy protests, in Hong Kong on 10th April 2019.