China's ambassador to UK Zheng Zeguang banned from parliament ahead of talk
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who took the decision in conjunction with his Lords counterpart Lord McFall, says it would not be "appropriate" for Zheng Zeguang to enter the estate for a talk on Wednesday while seven parliamentarians remain subject to sanctions.Tuesday 14 September 2021 22:39, UK
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| Zheng Zeguang has been told he cannot enter the parliamentary estate |
China's ambassador to the UK has been banned from parliament after a scheduled visit provoked anger among MPs and peers that have been sanctioned by Beijing.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who took the decision in conjunction with his Lords counterpart Lord McFall, said it would not be "appropriate" for Zheng Zeguang to enter the estate for a talk on Wednesday while seven parliamentarians remain subject to sanctions.
"I do not feel it's appropriate for the ambassador for China to meet on the Commons estate and in our place of work when his country has imposed sanctions against some of our members," Sir Lindsay said.
He added: "If those sanctions were lifted, then of course this would not be an issue.
"I am not saying the meeting cannot go ahead - I am just saying it cannot take place here while those sanctions remain in place."
A spokeswoman for Lord McFall confirmed that the speakers of both houses "are in agreement that this particular APPG China meeting should take place elsewhere considering the current sanctions against members".
