British Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse recently stated that she believes she was banned from entering Hong Kong to "shut me up and silence me." This came after she and her husband traveled to Hong Kong to visit their son and newborn grandson, but she was detained, interrogated, and deported at the airport. These actions raise concerns about freedom of expression and international relations.
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04-24, 2025As the MP for Bath, Hobhouse is also a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which has been critical of Beijing's handling of human rights issues. Hobhouse stated that she was not given any reason for the denial of entry. She expressed her desire for "some answers" on the BBC's Newscast program, claiming that she was not "terribly outspoken in my criticism of China." Her case highlights the potential repercussions of political activism and the importance of transparency in immigration procedures.
Hobhouse revealed on the Newscast program that she and her husband had been "looking forward" to visiting their son, who has lived in Hong Kong since 2019. While her husband "sailed through" immigration and was allowed to enter, she was taken aside for questioning, detained for five hours, and then put on a return flight. When host Laura Kuenssberg asked what the authorities said about the reason for her detention, Hobhouse replied: "Nothing. They said at the beginning, don't worry, just a few questions." This discrepancy in treatment raises questions about the criteria used for determining entry eligibility.
Regarding the suggestion that she may have been affected by her involvement with IPAC, Hobhouse stated that she was not "terribly outspoken in my criticism of China," adding: "I'm just standing up for our values. If China is now using this to intimidate me and stop me from speaking up for human rights, freedom and democracy, that would be appalling. It's the last thing that should happen, but of course, that is very likely what their intention is, to shut me up and silence me." Her statement underscores the importance of protecting freedom of speech and the potential for political retaliation.
Hobhouse stated that she has felt enormous support from "very worried" parliamentarians. Foreign Secretary David Lammy pledged to raise the matter "urgently" with authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing and "demand an explanation." He added that "it is unacceptable for someone to be refused entry simply because they have expressed their views." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called on Lammy to summon the Chinese ambassador, stating that the Chinese government must not be allowed "to undermine our democracy by intimidating our MPs." Hobhouse has also called on Lammy to "give assurances to MPs that this is not the way the Chinese Communist Party can treat them." These responses demonstrate the strong condemnation of Hobhouse's treatment and the commitment to defending parliamentary freedom.
Hobhouse also stated: "It feels very chilling that we are being treated like this by an authoritarian state." She added that the "diplomatic understanding" that allows politicians to enter each other's countries seems to be "breaking down." She has ruled out applying to the Chinese embassy for permission to enter Hong Kong and said they will meet relatives elsewhere. When asked about the timing of the incident, coinciding with the UK government's attempt to take over the Chinese-owned British Steel plant in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, Hobhouse said she could only speculate. She called for a "sober-minded" view of what China wants from the UK, stating that "it's not just friendly relations, they want something from us. They use us, and we must never be naive in allowing them too much access, for example, to our critical national infrastructure." The Chinese embassy has been contacted for comment. This incident highlights the complex relationship between the UK and China and the need for vigilance in protecting national interests.
