Wera Hobhouse, a UK MP, was denied entry to Hong Kong on a family visit to meet her grandson, raising serious concerns from the UK government. Held for five hours at the airport, she had her passport confiscated and was questioned about her purpose for traveling. The situation has prompted calls from fellow politicians for clarity and accountability, especially regarding the implications of her being an MP and a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, which monitors Chinese human rights practices.
Hobhouse, who has never visited Hong Kong, said she was given no explanation but believes it was because she is an MP. She is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), an international group of politicians that scrutinises Beijing's approach to human rights and has criticised the crackdown on free speech in Hong Kong.
The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, has called on the foreign secretary, David Lammy, to meet urgently with Hobhouse to discuss her case, and summon the Chinese ambassador to provide a full account of why a British MP and her family have been treated in such an appalling way.
Hobhouse told the Sunday Times her passport was confiscated, she was asked about her job and the purpose of her trip, her luggage was searched and swabbed, then she was escorted to the boarding gate by four immigration officers.
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