British MP Tim Loughton Deported from Djibouti Over Criticism of China
British politician Tim Loughton has revealed that he was detained and deported from Djibouti in early April due to his criticism of China. Djibouti, a country with close ties to China and significant Chinese investment, took action against Loughton, who is one of seven parliamentarians sanctioned by Beijing in 2021 for allegedly spreading misinformation about human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
Airport Incident Details
- Loughton, 61, arrived in Djibouti on April 8 for a brief visit that included a meeting with the British ambassador.
- Upon disclosing his identity as a British MP during visa processing, Loughton faced hostility from airport officials.
- He was detained for over seven hours, held in an arrivals hall and later in a locked room for three hours.
- Authorities informed Loughton that he would not be allowed entry and would be deported on the next available flight.
- He was escorted to the departure lounge and put on a flight to Dubai without a clear explanation for his detention.
Response and Reactions
Loughton described the incident as part of ongoing intimidation faced by the sanctioned parliamentarians over the past three years.
A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Djibouti dismissed claims that Loughton’s detention was linked to his criticism of China, labeling the allegations as baseless and aimed at tarnishing China’s reputation and its relations with London.
Harshit Sabarwal, Newsman. MMA Striker.