A Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) has disclosed that he was expelled during a visit to Djibouti due to the close relationship between the East African nation and China.
Tim Loughton, representing East Worthing and Shoreham, recounted being detained for over seven hours before being “escorted” onto a flight out of Djibouti earlier this month.
Mr. Loughton, who faced sanctions from Beijing in 2021, described the experience as “very isolating and frightening.”
China’s foreign office has refuted the allegations, deeming them groundless.
Mr. Loughton’s visit to Djibouti, lasting 24 hours and involving a meeting with the British ambassador, took an unexpected turn upon his arrival. He recalled having his passport scanned and being questioned about his occupation.
“I mentioned that I was a member of parliament, and then the atmosphere became quite chilly,” he recounted during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
“Djibouti essentially operates as a puppet state of China – whatever China desires, Djibouti complies with. Therefore, the prospect of a troublesome MP, previously sanctioned by China, appearing on their doorstep was evidently something they did not wish to entertain.”
He recounted being promptly placed on the next available flight out of the country.
“This incident is another illustration of the extensive reach of the Chinese Communist Government and its concerning influence in sensitive regions of Africa,” he expressed separately to BBC online.
“However, the intimidation faced by numerous others who have dared to speak out against China’s systematic human rights violations, and who lack the platform of an MP, raises significant concerns.”
In 2021, China imposed sanctions on five MPs, including Mr. Loughton, for allegedly spreading “lies and disinformation” about the country. These measures were retaliation for actions taken by the UK government regarding human rights abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority.
Mr. Loughton serves as co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Tibet, which has highlighted China’s human rights record. Additionally, he introduced the Reciprocal Access Bill in the House of Commons in 2019, compelling the UK government to respond to Chinese officials denying access to Tibet.
As a prominent member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international bipartisan coalition advocating for reform in democratic countries’ approach to China, Mr. Loughton has played a leading role.
Having served more than 27 years in parliament, the former minister and member of the Home Affairs Select Committee announced that he will not seek reelection in the upcoming general election.
