Former Hong Kong opposition leader Wu Chi-wai has been allowed to stay in the UK with his family for six months, following an initial detention at London's Heathrow Airport. Wu, 63, arrived last Wednesday and was detained for nearly 10 hours, where he was initially refused entry, he told BBC Chinese.
He stated he was later informed he could stay for one week before needing to report for deportation. However, on Monday, the UK Border Force approved his entry and granted him a standard six-month stay.
Wu was the leader of the now-defunct Democratic Party and was released in June after more than five years in prison for subversion and other convictions. His son and wife moved to the UK in 2022 and 2023, and Wu had hoped to reunite with them.
Wu used his British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport to enter the UK. BNO passport holders are typically allowed to stay in the UK visa-free for six months.