news story

23rd May 2008

Local MP Meets Dalai Lama at Westminster

Steve Webb MP with other Lib Dem MPs greeting the Dalai Lama when he arrived at Westminster

Northavon MP Steve Webb has this week met the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama at Westminster during his visit to London. Steve joined other Lib Dem MPs in greeting the Dalai Lama prior to his meeting on Thursday 22nd May with Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.

Commenting on the visit, Steve Webb said:

"Many local residents share my concern about the situation in Tibet and the regular crackdowns by the Chinese authorities.

"I was pleased that the Dalai Lama was in London to meet British political leaders and I know that the Liberal Democrats support his efforts to bring a peaceful resolution to the dispute with China. I have written to our own Foreign Office on a number of occasions to urge them to put pressure on the Chinese government over this issue and will continue to do so".

The Northavon MP has signed a number of House of Commons motions in support of the freedom of the people of Tibet and is himself a longstanding member of the human rights organisation Amnesty International.