China’s ambassador to the UK has been blocked from entering the British Parliament

In a bold move, the China ambassador has been told he cannot come to Parliament while sanctions remain in place against a number of MPs and peers.

Zheng Zeguang was due to attend a Commons reception on Wednesday, hosted by the all-party group on China.

Following a range of protests, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker Lord McFall ruled his attendance out.

The Chinese embassy responded stating that it was a “despicable and cowardly” decision that would harm both countries’ interests.

The ban, which was first reported by the Daily Telegraph, comes at a time when tensions between the two governments remain at an all time high.