British MPs postpone Hong Kong trip after Beijing denies entry over Occupy fears

British lawmakers have postponed a trip to Hong Kong after Beijing barred the delegation over fears that the visit might send the “wrong signals” to Occupy Central demonstrators.

The uncooperative attitude of Beijing – with a deputy ambassador to the UK declaring a “100 per cent” chance of entry refusal for the eight MPs – has been questioned by British Prime Minister David Cameron, the US State Department and a former law dean of the University of Hong Kong.

The House of Commons will hold an emergency debate today on China’s ban. The House’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee said on its website yesterday that it “will postpone its visit to Hong Kong but will continue to take oral evidence, potentially including evidence by video link.”

It vowed to “proceed with its inquiry into the UK’s relations with Hong Kong, despite opposition by the Chinese government”.

The committee said that its chairman, Richard Ottaway, was informed by Ni Jian, China’s deputy ambassador to Britain, that the refusal of entry was related to the Occupy movement.

Ni was quoted as saying: “The committee’s delegation making a so-called inquiry and scrutinising Hong Kong may send the wrong signals to the figures of Occupy Central. Also, it shows some encouragement for illegal actions.”