Kong Linlin, a Chinese state media journalist based in the UK, has been charged by local police with common assault after she allegedly slapped a Conservative Party member at the party’s annual conference.
West Midlands Police confirmed to HKFP that Kong, aged 48 from Kings Cross, London had been charged and will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on November 7.
UK Conservative Party member Enoch Lieu, who was born in Hong Kong, said he was assaulted by Kong on September 30 during a Hong Kong fringe event at the party’s Birmingham conference.
Lieu had said that Kong stood up and shouted at Benedict Rogers – a Conservative Party human rights activist – whilst he was giving concluding remarks. She accused Rogers of being anti-China and called the speakers from Hong Kong traitors, Lieu claimed.
Lieu tried to escort her out after British MP Fiona Bruce asked Kong to leave. He says he was then slapped twice by Kong during a confrontation.
A widely-shared video clip posted by organisers Hong Kong Watch showed Kong being escorted out of the room after the alleged assault. She was then arrested by local police and released on the evening of October 1.
Apology demanded
The Chinese Embassy in London had said on October 1 that Kong was obstructed and assaulted “when she simply raised a question and expressed her opinions.” The Embassy, as well as CCTV, demanded an apology from the event organisers.
A CCTV statement issued on October 1 also said Kong was released after a brief detention, “amid stern representations from the Chinese Embassy in the UK and public pressure.”
