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

Hong Qi contacted police after discovering that his bank accounts had been frozen Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Hong Qi contacted police after discovering that his bank accounts had been frozen Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian 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. Dissident detained in South Korea after fleeing China in rubber boat Read more “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.” When Qi attempted to convey the desperation of his situation, he claims the interpreter refused to pass the message to the police representative on the call. “I will not translate your emotions,” the interpreter said, according to Qi. “On what grounds should the British help you? If you have money, it is convenient everywhere.” On 21 January, 22 days after he made a complaint, Devon and Cornwall police informed Qi, who has recently been granted asylum in the UK, that responsibility for the interpreter lay with a contractor that is paid £130,000 a year to provide translation services. The contractor did not respond to a request for comment. The force has failed to provide a copy of the recording to Qi despite requests. The Information Commissioner’s Office has noted the force’s breach and issued a reprimand. Qi’s allegation will add to fears of the widespread infiltration of the Chinese interpreting community by the United Front Work Department, an organ of the communist reg