Chinese dissident says he was berated by ‘pro-regime’ interpreter for UK police

Hong Qi, who orchestrated protest against Communist government, claims interpreter on 101 call launched political tirade

A Chinese dissident who orchestrated an anti-government protest in China after fleeing to the UK has claimed that a “pro-regime” interpreter used by a British police force berated him when he sought help.

Hong Qi, who made headlines last year after using a mobile phone while in the UK to remotely project anti-regime slogans on to a building in his home city, Chongqing, contacted police after discovering that his bank accounts had been frozen.

The Chinese national rang 101, the UK non-emergency number, on 20 December and asked to speak to the closest police force via an interpreter out of concern he would have to sleep rough with his wife and two teenage daughters due to lack of funds.

Instead of receiving advice from Devon and Cornwall police, Qi, 43, claims the interpreter assigned to the call launched a political tirade, asking him why he did not “love China” and taunting him for his lack of money.

Qi, who along with his family had been staying in Exeter, explained, in a call that began at 2.54pm and lasted 20 minutes, that his bank accounts had been frozen by the Chinese authorities, leaving him unable to pay for accommodation for his wife and children.

According to Qi, the interpreter – who spoke with a mainland Chinese accent – interrupted the conversation to challenge him.

“China is so good, why did you come out?” the interpreter allegedly asked. “You came out to claim political asylum? You brought your children out here to suffer.”