MP votes to stop Government doing trade deals with countries committing genocide

Last night, South Lakes MP Tim Farron voted for an amendment to the Trade Bill which would have prevented the Government from negotiating trade deals with countries that have been accused of committing genocide.

The vote came just hours after the outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that China's treatment of Muslims and ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region constitutes genocide.

However, the amendment was voted down by the Government by a narrow margin of 319 votes to 308.

Speaking after the vote, Tim said: "I'm utterly astounded that the Government voted against this amendment.

"Being prepared to conduct trade deals with countries that are literally complicit in killing innocent groups of people because of their race or religion is quite frankly despicable.

"I think that all decent people across the country will be appalled that the Government is prepared to do this in their name.

"It is inhumane, it is un-British and it must be stopped."