HSBC executive apologises for calling UK weak over China

Sherard Cowper-Coles claimed British government was bowing to US demands in dealing with Beijing

A senior executive at HSBC has apologised after saying the weak" UK government had caved in to the US in its approach to doing business with China.

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, the bank's head of public affairs and a former British diplomat, said sorry after sharing his personal views" on Britain's policy towards Beijing at a private event, a spokesperson for HSBC said.