Wednesday 22 June 2022 03:47 PM PM's father Stanley Johnson sparks fury with demand for Parliament to DROP ban ... trends now
Stanley Johnson has sparked a furious row with MPs after the Prime Minister's father called for the Chinese ambassador to no longer be banned from Parliament.
The 81-year-old, who is known to be close to Zheng Zeguang, said he hoped MPs would relent on their current stance and allow Beijing's diplomat to soon visit the Palace of Westminster.
But Mr Johnson was immediately condemned for providing a 'massive propaganda boost' for China at a time of huge scrutiny over the country's human rights record.
A group of MPs also called for a 'period of silence' from the PM's father, as they accused him of 'advancing the interests of a brutal Chinese regime'.
In September last year, China's ambassador to the UK was told he could not come to Parliament while Beijing continues to sanction a number of MPs and peers.
Mr Zheng had been due to attend a parliamentary reception, but both House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker barred the Chinese ambassador.
It came after protests from those MPs and peers who had been subjected to sanctions by China for criticising Beijing, including allegations of human rights abuses against Uyghurs.
Stanley Johnson welcomed China's ambassador Zheng Zeguang to his London home in April this year
The PM's father posted a photo of the lunch on his Instagram account
The pair also met at the Chinese ambassador's residence last week to discuss Mr Johnson's upcoming filming trip
Speaking to the South China Morning Post, Mr Johnson expressed his hope that Parliament would reconsider its ban on Mr Zheng when they return from their summer recess.
'I would imagine parliament is breaking up for the summer pretty soon,' he said.
'But I would very much hope that by the time parliament returns, these bans will no longer be in
