China removes 6 diplomats from U.K. after protester assaulted
The Hindu
Police said officers at the scene had to intervene and remove Mr. Chan, who suffered injuries to his face and back.
China's government has removed a Chinese consul general and five of his staff following the assault on a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester at the Chinese consulate in Manchester, Britain's foreign secretary said on Thursday.
James Cleverly said British police wanted to question the six officials over the assault on protester Bob Chan, who said masked men came out from the consulate building during a peaceful protest in October, dragged him into the consulate grounds and beat him up.
Police said officers at the scene had to intervene and remove Mr. Chan, who suffered injuries to his face and back.
Mr. Cleverly said Britain's Foreign Office requested Beijing waive the diplomatic immunity of the six officials to allow police investigating the matter to question them.
“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,” Mr. Cleverly said.
He added that the other staff have “either left the United Kingdom or will shortly do so.” Mr. Chan welcomed Thursday's development in a statement.
“It has been two months since I was attacked in Manchester by staff members of the Chinese Consulate,” he said.
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