Sir Ed Davey has demanded the Chinese government release video footage of Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse’s detention in Hong Kong, following her unexpected refusal of entry during a family visit. The party leader said the incident raised serious concerns about Beijing’s treatment of UK parliamentarians and called on Foreign Secretary David Lammy to urgently summon China’s ambassador for a full explanation.
Ms Hobhouse, MP for Bath and a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), had travelled to Hong Kong to meet her son and newborn grandson. However, upon landing, she was held for questioning at the airport, then deported back to the UK. The MP believes her political stance and vocal criticism of China’s human rights record were behind the move, describing the experience as an attempt to “shut her up.”
Sir Ed, speaking during a campaign stop in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, labelled China’s actions “shocking” and warned that the treatment of Ms Hobhouse should concern all British parliamentarians, regardless of party.
“I think it’s very likely the case,” he told reporters when asked if the denial of entry was politically motivated. “Liberal Democrats have stood up for the people of Hong Kong against oppression from Beijing, stood up for human rights, and I don’t think the Chinese government likes that. This may be retaliation, even though Wera was only on a family visit.”
He added: “Let them publish the tapes. Let them be open. It’s not like the Chinese, but they should be, because I’m afraid they’re guilty of a very big mistake here.”
Ms Hobhouse has accused Chinese officials of attempting to “smear” her, saying she was fully cooperative during the airport interrogation. “I was polite and co-operative throughout the interview, answering every question asked of me,” she said. “I even volunteered personal information I wasn’t asked for, such as showing officials a picture of my baby grandson who was waiting for me on the other side.”
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) released a brief statement defending the actions of its immigration officers, asserting their right to question any traveller to ensure legitimate entry purposes. “The person concerned knows best what he or she has done,” the statement said. “It will be unhelpful to the person’s case if the person refuses to answer questions put to him or her for that purpose.”
However, Ms Hobhouse has pushed back strongly against this implication. She insists that the suggestion of non-cooperation is unfounded and has urged the Hong Kong authorities to release any audio or video recordings to prove her compliance.
The Lib Dem MP has since called on the Foreign Secretary to personally summon China’s ambassador to provide a “full and clear account” of her deportation. “Until that request is answered,” she warned, “it will have a chilling effect on all parliamentarians who stand up for freedom and democracy.”
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In an article published in The Guardian, Ms Hobhouse went further, stating that no UK Government minister should visit China on official business until clarity is provided. “We must be direct: if you will not be straight and don’t answer legitimate questions, we cannot engage with you on the basis of mutual trust,” she wrote.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office responded by reaffirming the UK’s position: “We continue to press the Hong Kong authorities to provide clear evidence to Ms Hobhouse to explain why she was refused entry to Hong Kong. As the Foreign Secretary has said, it would be unacceptable for an MP to be denied entry for simply expressing their views as a parliamentarian.”
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between the UK and China, particularly over the erosion of democratic freedoms in Hong Kong. As Westminster braces for further diplomatic fallout, the Liberal Democrats have made it clear that they intend to continue pressing for transparency and respect for human rights in Britain’s dealings with Beijing.
