Chinese diplomat involved in protester attack, says UK MP

One of China's most senior UK diplomats was involved in violence against protesters at the Manchester consulate on Sunday, a British MP says.

"What we saw was the Chinese consul-general then ripping down posters and peaceful protest," Alicia Kearns told MPs in the House of Commons.

MPs in Parliament have privilege, allowing them to speak freely without fear of legal action.

China has not commented on Zheng Xiyuan's alleged involvement.

But the foreign ministry in Beijing defended the actions of consulate staff.

Spokesman Wang Wenbin said people had "illegally entered" the grounds and any country's diplomats would have taken "necessary measures" to protect their premises.

The official Chinese version is at odds with video footage and statements from police. Officers had to drag back a protester from inside the consulate gate as he was being attacked.

After Consul-General Zheng Xiyuan ripped down the placards, Ms Kearns told MPs, there was "grievous bodily harm against a Hongkonger, one of whom was hospitalised for taking part in a peaceful protest.

"Some were then dragged onto consulate territory for a further beating by officials who have been recognised to be members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

"We cannot allow the CCP to import their beating of protesters, their silencing of free speech and their failure to allow time and time again protests on British soil. This is a chilling escalation."

"Shortly before 4pm a small group of men came out of the building and a man was dragged into the consulate grounds and assaulted," the statement said.

"Due to our fears for the safety of the man, officers intervened and removed the victim from the consulate grounds."

Another Conservative MP, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, asked if the government would "be prepared to expel the consul-general and any of those that are found to have been part of that punishment beating and the vandalism?"

Foreign Office minister Jesse Norman said the government had issued a summons to the Chinese charge d'affaires in London for an explanation.

Mr Norman told the House of Commons: "We've already outlined a process of raising this formally with the Chinese embassy... and we will see where these procedures, these legal and prosecutorial procedures, may lead to, and at that point we will take further action."