Ex-staff member of UK consulate says he was tortured in Hong Kong

A former employee of the UK’s Hong Kong consulate has claimed that he was tortured in China and accused of inciting political unrest in the city.

Simon Cheng, a Hong Kong citizen who worked for the UK government for almost two years, was detained for 15 days on a trip to Mainland China in August.

Cheng said he was shackled, blindfolded and hooded.

The UK government says it believes Cheng’s claims of being beaten and forced to sign confessions are credible.

The Chinese authorities have not responded to request for comment.

His account now challenges that version of events and raises questions for both the Chinese and the UK governments.