Raab says UK boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics possible over Uighur abuses

Foreign secretary tells committee withdrawal not ruled out if evidence against China continues to mount

Britain may not be able to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 if evidence mounts of the abuse of Uighur Muslims in China, the foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said.

Appearing in front of the foreign affairs select committee, Raab was asked about the possibility of Britain skipping the event in protest at human rights abuses. Generally speaking, my instinct is to separate sport from diplomacy and politics, but there comes a point when it is not possible," said Raab.