Belfast Chinese consulate official 'brainwashed' says DUP MP Jim Shannon adding: 'I am watching you'

Jim Shannon was speaking during a debate in Westminster Hall about freedom of religion in China, during which he condemned the superpower’s treatment of Muslims, Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, and members of the Falun Gong movement.

He said that he was offered a trip to China at Beijing’s expense, but turned it down.

Mr Shannon is known for his frequent contributions in the Commons on international affairs, especially freedom of religion.

Mr Shannon told MPs: “The Chinese constitution claims to guarantee freedom of religious belief, especially under article 36, which recognises five officially sanctioned religions.

"On the ground, however, the opposite happens: ultimately, the authority of the Chinese Communist Party supersedes those constitutional protections.

"Police routinely arrest, detain and harass leaders and members of so-called illegal religious groups that refuse to join state-sanctioned religious bodies.”

He went on to add: “I recently had a conversation with a representative of the Chinese consulate in Northern Ireland.

"Boy, is that boy brainwashed!

"He was trying to tell me how things were in China, but he picked the wrong person that day.

"I gave him a wee bit of focus for his attention after he invited me to China.

"I said, ‘I’ll hardly be going, but I tell you what: whenever you stop persecuting the Christians, stop abusing the Falun Gong and stop massacring, killing and raping Uyghur Muslims, you and I will have a conversation.’

"I will also send him this speech, which will probably end up in his bin.

"He is the Chinese Communist party’s representative in Northern Ireland; I am watching him and he knows I am watching him.

"I hope he is watching us here on TV, by the way – just to let you know, I know where you are.”

The debate was tabled by Labour MP Marie Rimmer.