China threatening autonomy of Hong Kong, says Chris Patten

Last British governor of region urges Foreign Office to object to Chinese remarks

Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, has warned that China's threat to overrule the Hong Kong judiciary represents a dramatic threat to the autonomy of the region and may damage its chances of remaining a thriving financial centre.

Patten called on the British government to speak out as soon as possible to express its concern at the Chinese remarks, which followed the overturning by Hong Kong courts of a ban on protesters wearing face masks, a move that infuriated Beijing.