PM urged to boycott torch relay

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Prime Minister is due to welcome the torch to Downing Street as it is carried in relay around the capital on Sunday by a host of sports stars and celebrities.

But in a letter to Downing Street, Mr Clegg told him: "Serious concerns cannot be swept under the carpet for the sake of ceremonial duties."

And he said that unless China acted to improve the situation in Tibet, Darfur and within its own borders, the PM should boycott all Beijing 2008 related events, including the Games themselves.

Mr Brown has defended his participation, arguing that Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama had not called for an Olympic boycott and highlighting London's position as the 2012 host city.

However, Mr Clegg wrote: "I understand that on Sunday you will welcome the Olympic torch to London. I urge you to reconsider your participation in this event and indeed any future events to mark the Beijing Games, including the opening ceremony on August 8.

"Recent events in Tibet, broken promises over media freedoms, ongoing human rights abuses and intransigence over the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur demand a response.

"Serious concerns cannot be swept under the carpet for the sake of ceremonial duties. Unless and until China takes steps to honour the spirit of the Olympics, as laid out in the Olympic Charter, I do not believe that the British Prime Minister can attend the Beijing Games in good conscience."

Mr Clegg said that only if Chinese president Hu Jintao held face-to-face talks with the Dalai Lama, allowed full and free access to foreign journalists, used its influence in Sudan to help the peacekeeping mission in Darfur and ratified an international civil and political rights covenant should UK participation be considered.

On Thursday, one of the torch-bearers due to carry the Olympic flame across London dropped out in protest at Chinese repression in Tibet. Disabled comedian Francesca Martinez said she felt that taking part would legitimise the continuing violence in Tibet.