China must live up to promises on human rights, demand local Lib Dems in Olympic protest

5.44.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 7th Apr 2008

London assembly candidate Monica Whyte says Ken Livingstone has "missed an opportunity" to push for better human rights

Liberal Democrats in Enfield and Haringey have criticised the decision of Labour mayor Ken Livingstone to take part in a controversial relay celebrating the Olympic Games in Beijing, amid concerns about China's record on human rights.

The move comes after London Assembly candidate Monica Whyte and Hornsey & Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone took part in a protest demanding an end to Chinese repression ahead of this year's Olympic Games and called for action to improve the rights of people in Tibet.

Speaking after the protest, Lynne Featherstone said, "When Beijing bid for the Games in 2001, they promised that the Olympics would 'help the development of human rights'. With China not keeping to these promises, the Olympics provide an opportunity to put pressure onto the Chinese regime to improve their record."

"With a long history of free speech, London as the host in 2012 has an obligation to help hold China to its promises," added Monica Whyte, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the London Assembly in Enfield & Haringey.

"Yet, with both Ken Livingstone and Gordon Brown taking an enthusiastic part in the Olympic relay, the Labour Party has missed an opportunity. Londoners need a Mayor and Assembly that will press for human rights - not give dictatorships a legitimacy that they do not deserve."

ENDS