Barry Sheerman MP suggests boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

With ongoing concerns for the safety of the Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai, the Labour MP for Huddersfield, has raised the possibility of a UK boycott of next year’s winter Olympics.

Writing on Twitter this morning, Barry Sheerman MP commented, “Surely we in the UK should also consider boycotting the Beijing Winter Olympics as a protest over China’s human rights record”.

In a social media post on November 2, the Chinese tennis player, Peng Shuai accused the former Chinese vice premier, Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault after she had played tennis at his home.   Since the post there has been widespread concern over her safety.

US President Joe Biden has led calls for China to provide “independent, verifiable proof” of the tennis player’s whereabouts.

The winter Olympics are set to be held in Beijing and towns in the neighboring Hebei province between February 4 and February 20 next year.