STORY
Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse was denied entry to Hong Kong while attempting to visit her newborn grandson. Upon arrival, Hobhouse was detained at passport control, questioned, had her belongings searched, and was deported five hours later without explanation. Her husband, who accompanied her, was allowed entry but chose to return to the UK. Hobhouse, a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China and a known critic of China’s human rights record, expressed emotional distress over missing the opportunity to meet her grandson and criticised the lack of transparency in the decision. This marks the first known refusal of entry to a British MP in Hong Kong since the 1997 handover, further stoking concerns over diminishing freedoms under Beijing’s control.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated he was “deeply concerned” and would urgently raise the issue with Chinese authorities. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the decision as “heartless” and “totally unacceptable,” urging the Foreign Secretary to demand an explanation from the Chinese ambassador. The Chinese Embassy in London is yet to comment on the denied entry.