‘I guess the golden era is over’: Security minister Tom Tugendhat launches vicious jibe at Lord Cameron for warmth towards China when he was PM – as Foreign Secretary vows to ‘stand by the people of Hong Kong’

Security minister Tom Tugendhat launched an extraordinary jibe at Lord Cameron today over his warmth towards China as PM.

Mr Tugendhat threw shade at the Foreign Secretary after he posted on social media about having talks with the son of imprisoned Hong Kong businessman and democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai.

Lord Cameron said the UK ‘opposes the National Security Law’ imposed by the Beijing-backed administration and ‘will continue to stand by Jimmy Lai and the people of HK’.

Retweeting the message this morning, Mr Tugendhat – known for his hawkish stance on China – observed: ‘I guess the golden era is over.’   

The comment is a reference to the phrase Lord Cameron used as he pushed for closer ties with the Asian superpower.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat launched an extraordinary jibe at Lord Cameron today over his warmth towards China as PM

Retweeting the message this morning, Mr Tugendhat – known for his hawkish stance on China – observed: ‘I guess the golden era is over.’

As PM the peer was photographed drinking beer in a pub with Xi Jinping during his state visit in 2015.

Since then relations have chilled significantly, with China accused of human rights abuses towards Uhgur muslims, oppression in Hong Kong, aggression towards Taiwan and industrial-scale espionage.    

Lord Cameron’s previous stance was raised by Tory MPs – some of whom have been sanctioned by Beijing for being critical of the regime – when he was appointed to the Foreign Office.    

However, last month Lord Cameron mounted a staunch defence of his Downing Street policy. 

‘When I became prime minister, the greatest need was for Britain to grow again, trade again, with exports to help our businesses around the world,’ he said in an interview.

‘I loaded up planes, I took them to India, I took them to China, I took them to Africa to get the economy moving again.’

He said that China had become ‘much more aggressive, much more assertive’ since he left office and ‘security and protection’ were now much more important.

But he added: ‘Engaging China is one part of the approach we need to take. Not least, because China is a fifth of humanity.

‘We’re not going to solve challenges like climate change, unless we engage. And hopefully I can be a part of that.’

Mr Lai founded the now-defunct Apple Daily in Hong Kong but was arrested in 2020 during a crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy movement.

The 76-year-old is a British passport holder.   

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Britain in 2015, and was pictured drinking beer with David Cameron

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