Tory MP detained and deported by China-allied nation after being sanctioned by Beijing

28 April 2024, 20:40

A Tory MP was detained and deported from a Chinese-allied nation in East Africa after he was sanctioned by Beijing.
A Tory MP was detained and deported from a Chinese-allied nation in East Africa after he was sanctioned by Beijing. Picture: Alamy

By Chay Quinn

A Tory MP was detained and deported from a Chinese-allied nation in East Africa after he was sanctioned by Beijing.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Tim Loughton, a senior member of the Home Affairs select committee, was kicked out of the East African nation of Djibouti while on a 24-hour visit.

Mr Loughton says he was detained for more than seven hours at the airport upon his arrival before being barred from entering Djibouti and removed on the next flight.

The Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham has been hawkish on China - and was one of seven parliamentarians who were sanctioned by Beijing three years ago.

It is believed that the sanctions were because of Mr Loughton's outspokenness on the plight of Uighurs, Tibetans and Hong Kongers under Chinese rule.

College Green, London, UK. 6th July 2022.Conservative politician,Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Sh
Tim Loughton, a senior member of the Home Affairs select committee, was kicked out of the East African nation of Djibouti while on a 24-hour visit. Picture: Alamy

In an op-ed in the Telegraph, Mr Loughton wrote: "This is just the latest example of the intimidation that the seven sanctioned British parliamentarians have suffered over the last three years.

"It comes hard on the heels of course of the recent revelation that three years ago our parliamentary email accounts were hacked and Westminster’s security compromised by the malign Chinese state.

"It pales into insignificance of course compared with the violence, torture and murder suffered over many decades by millions of Tibetans, Uighurs, Hong Kongers and others we stand up for in our Western democratic institutions."

Djibouti is the smallest nation in Africa and is a major beneficiary of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

China has financed a new stadium, hospital and a $1billion space-port in the nation - and now holds $1.4billion of Djibouti's debt.

This figure means that China has outsized influence over the nation.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

x

'He did everything right': Reporter who broke story of John Smyth's abuse defends Justin Welby following resignation

Kate Mulcahy, 37, was found dead after a fierce blaze broke out at the home in Greater Manchester

Mother of four, 37, killed in fire at £1.2m home as her four young children 'manage to escape'

A key vote on assisted dying will take place at the end of the month.

'There are different views and opinions': MP behind assisted dying bill reveals cabinet split ahead of key vote

The Queen at her first public engagement since falling ill with a chest infection.

Queen Camilla seen for the first time after missing Remembrance Sunday service due to chest infection

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Why has Justin Welby resigned and what happens next to the Church? All your questions answered

The trio of brazen shoplifters has been jailed

Shameless shoplifters jailed for stealing £200,000 of goods in 120 offences after being caught on CCTV

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

'Knifeman' arrested by armed police after reports of man 'carrying knives' outside Parliament

Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury in the wake of abuse scandal

Read in full: Justin Welby's letter resigning as Archbishop of Canterbury

Curtis Green

Father-to-be shot dead after south London party named and pictured for first time as family pay tribute

Nottingham Panthers forward Johnson suffered a fatal neck injury in October 2023

Police issue update on man arrested over manslaughter of ice hockey player Adam Johnson

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following damning report into Church abuse scandal

The husband of Erin Jayne Plummer has reportedly died in a suspected self-harm incident

Husband of Australian TV star dies suddenly two years after her suicide leaving three kids orphaned

Sue Gray

Sue Gray rejects Keir Starmer's job offer after being removed as chief of staff

Malin Andersson was caught in a horror motorway incident

Love Island star Malin Andersson 'seconds from death' after £100k BMW 'blew up and caught fire'

File photo of congestion on the M5

Teen girl killed in M5 crash fled police car onto motorway before being hit by oncoming traffic

Church abuse victims were treated 'very very badly' Keir Starmer has said, as calls grow for Justin Welby to resign

Starmer says Church abuse scandal victims were 'failed very, very badly' as calls grow for Archbishop to quit