In a shocking turn of events, Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse was barred from entering Hong Kong this week, leaving her distressed and bewildered.

Hobhouse, who serves as the MP for Bath, had traveled to the region to meet her newborn grandson. However, upon arrival, she was immediately detained at the airport, interrogated, and subsequently deported back to the UK on the next available flight.

This troubling incident raises serious concerns, as Hobhouse is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a group dedicated to scrutinizing Beijing’s human rights record. Despite her parliamentary status, she received no explanation for her denial of entry.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey wasted no time in addressing the situation, penning a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy. In the letter, he urged Lammy to summon the Chinese Ambassador for a thorough explanation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining democratic values in the face of intimidation by foreign governments.

Adding to the gravity of this incident, it follows closely after two Labour MPs were denied entry to Israel during a visit to the West Bank, highlighting a concerning trend of political figures facing restrictions while abroad.

Hobhouse shared her emotional turmoil with the Sunday Times, revealing that her husband was permitted entry while she was not. Unable to greet her son, who had been residing in Hong Kong since 2019, she expressed her heartbreak. "I couldn't even see him and give him a hug, and I hadn't seen him in a year," she lamented.

Describing the moment she was informed of her deportation, Hobhouse said, "My voice was shaking, and I was just saying: 'Why, please explain to me?'" The lack of explanation struck her as "cruel," leaving her distraught at not being able to establish a bond with her grandson.

She added, "Each month lost is a loss for the relationship I will have with my grandson. Having to fly back was so hard. I didn't cry, but I was very close to tears."

As this story unfolds, questions loom about the UK government's diplomatic relations with China and the implications for lawmakers who challenge Beijing's stance on human rights. The Chinese Embassy and the Foreign Office have been contacted for comment but have yet to respond.