Ah, that’s not how we do it: UK consulate responds in Victor Mallet visa refusal case

Victor Mallet. Screengrab via YouTube.
Victor Mallet. Screengrab via YouTube.

The British consulate in Hong Kong has a message for those suggesting there are similarities between Hong Kong’s decision to deny, without explanation, a working visa for Financial Times‘ Asia news editor Victor Mallet and immigration refusals by UK.

“WRONG!”

Posted on their Facebook page yesterday, though without the capital letters, the message was seemingly in response to pro-Beijing newspapers and figures asserting that the widely-criticized action by Hong Kong’s government was akin to how Britain dealt with such matters.

“In recent days attempts have been made to draw comparisons between the decision not to give any reason for the refusal of the work visa of FT journalist, Victor Mallet, and the UK Government’s decisions to refuse named individuals entry to the UK,” the consulate posted on Facebook.

“Such comparisons are wrong. If an individual is denied entry to the UK or a visa application is refused, the individual is notified of the reasons behind the decision so they can consider whether they have grounds for appeal.”

The UK consulate’s response comes after a photo began circulating on social media comparing the Mallet case to the visa denials of Lebanese journalist and Hezbollah spokesperson Ibrahim Moussawi in 2009; and that of Canadian far-right activist Lauren Southern, who was barred from entering the UK in March.

The photo was shared by a few pro-Beijing lawmakers like Michael Luk from the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU), Kwok Wai-keung, Alice Mak, and Ho Kai Ming.

https://www.facebook.com/michael.luk.ftu/posts/749202472086158

The refusal to renew Mallet’s work visa is widely believed to be linked to his hosting of a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) by Andy Chan, leader of the now-banned pro-independence Hong Kong National Party (HKNP).

While calling those concerns “pure speculation”, Chief Executive Carrie Lam has refused to provide an explanation and even suggested that Hong Kong was merely following normal international procedures in not giving a reason.

The consulate was among those pointing out that isn’t the case.

According to the SCMP, Bar Association chairman Philip Dykes also pointed out it wasn’t accepted practice in Australia or the UK to withhold reasons for a visa denial.

The veteran lawyer said the whole situation made the city look “silly.”



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