China’s embassy guards in London have been accused of brandishing electroshock weapons at protesters to intimidate them.
London and Beijing are now embroiled in a diplomatic row over the incident, which is also being investigated by police.
UK Government officials warned China that actions by a foreign state to intimidate or harm individuals on British soil would not be tolerated, The i Paper has been told.
Security workers allegedly pointed the weapons towards protesters during heightened tensions outside the embassy in Portland Place on 3 July.
Shorts
Scroll to previous short
Scroll to next short
health
Wild swimming brings higher risk of stomach bugs and rashes
Five hundred public swimming pools have been shut since 2010, with the pace of closures accelerating (Photo: Alastair Fyfe/Getty)
Wild swimming has been linked to a higher risk of stomach bugs and skin rashes, a study has found.
Wild swimmers in Hungary were more than twice as likely to develop skin problems and were at a higher risk of contracting a stomach bug in water with higher concentrations of E. coli and other bacteria linked to faecal pollution.
What did the study find?
2,368 people at two rivers and two lake-like bathing sites in Hungary were studied.
Participants either spent 10 minutes in the water, immersing their face at least three times, or remained on the shore.
Water was sampled throughout the trials and participants were questioned a week later.
About 2.1 per cent of swimmers reported gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhoea, vomiting or nausea accompanied by fever, compared with 1.9 per cent of non-swimmers.
A rash, ulcer or itching was reported by 2.7 per cent of swimmers and 1.3 per cent of non-swimmers.
What are the study’s implications?
The findings raise questions about the World Health Organisation’s decision to drop E coli as a recommended indicator of pollution in freshwater bathing sites. The body’s latest guidelines advise monitoring enterococci but not E. coli, yet the study found the latter is the only one associated with increased risk.
Exclusive
4 min read
Save Britain’s Rivers
3 min read
Watch more from The i Paper
Caption: MOSCOW, RUSSIA – AUGUST 18: Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing (not pictured) during their meeting at Kremlin on August 18, 2026 in Moscow, Russia. Fresh off a five-year military deal, Min Aung Hlaing is meeting Vladimir Putin for talks on further economic and security cooperation. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)
Photographer: Contributor
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2026 Contributor#8523328
WORLD
What would happen if Russia attacks Europe
Tensions are soaring between Russia and the UK, with the Kremlin threatening to bomb British military bases over support for Ukraine. A US intelligence report earlier this month warned that Russia could attack a Nato country within weeks, with the window of threat spanning until 2029.
The early stages of an attack
If Russia decides to directly attack Nato territory, it would most likely begin laying the groundwork with surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the movement of special forces into the area, or setting up a political or diplomatic scenario to justify the occupation of territory.
One possible site for an attack is the Svalbard archipelago, a group of Norwegian islands in the High North which are undefended and already have a Russian presence for mining.
Where else could be hit?
Another possible target for a Russian attack is the Aland islands, another undefended group of islands in the Baltic Sea which are close to Estonia, Sweden and Finland.
There are also concerns Russia may try to seize the Swedish island of Gotland, or may decide to launch another land invasion in Eastern Europe. Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia or Poland are all possible targets.
4 min read
4 min read
What happens if Russia attacks
During his campaign to become MP, Andy Burnham had said £39bn should be spent on council housing (Photo: Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu)
An emergency Cobra meeting would be called and Nato members would discuss their response.
The UK would be expected to deploy troops and capabilities. European countries could be hit by cyber attacks.
Caption: File photo first issued 06/11/25 by the Ministry of Defence of an AJAX Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV). MPs have questioned whether the Army’s troubled ?6.3 billion Ajax light tank will ever be fit for use in combat. Issue date: Sunday June 7, 2026. PA Photo. The project has been dogged by concerns about the impact of noise and vibration on the crew and the Public Accounts Committee warned there were “unrealistic expectations” about how soldiers will be able to safely operate the armoured vehicle in a war zone. The MPs on the Commons spending watchdog also criticised the delays in Sir Keir Starmer’s government publishing its defence investment plan (Dip), which was originally due last year but may now not be published until July. Photo credit should read: Andrew Linnett/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Andrew Linnett
Provider: Andrew Linnett/PA Wire
Source: PA
Caption: Pictured are the Shore Reconnaissance Team (SRT) from 30 Commando?s Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) conducting beach surveys and live firing during Winter Deployment 22.
SRT carried out a covert swim insertion from ship to shore utilising the Inflatable Raiding Craft (IRC) to carry out critical beach reconnaissance deep inside the Arctic Circle.
The team then conducted live break contact drills once ashore on the beaches of Ramsund. These drills enable the small teams to disengage rapidly from enemy forces and regain their covert posture.
Royal Marines have deployed to Northern Norway to carry out their annual winter deployment in the Arctic Circle. Commandos will refresh skills in surviving, moving, and fighting across the ice.
This year, Royal Navy ships will join Royal Marines for the large-scale NATO exercise Cold Response 22. This takes place in March and April with 28 nations and a total of 35,000 troops already committed to attending the exercise.
Photographer: PO Phot Ethell
Provider: UK MOD Crown copyright
Source: Royal Navy
Copyright: UK MOD ? Crown copyright 2022
Troops from across Europe could be mobilised to the site of the attack, with some still arriving weeks later.
Watch more from The i Paper
HEALTH
Rise in salmonella cases linked to eggs
Caption: Fresh brown eggs in a white bowl and on a linen napkin. The overall composition looks very natural and cozy thanks to the wooden background and soft lighting.
Photographer: SimpleImages
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Cases of salmonella linked to imported eggs have risen, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
Reported cases have risen from 207 to 259 in the past week. One person has also died due to an outbreak linked to imported eggs.
What should people do?
Babies, young children, pregnant women and older people should only eat thoroughly cooked eggs in restaurants. Runny eggs can be eaten by these groups if they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme.
There is no evidence eggs produced in the UK are affected and risk to the public is low.
2 min read
6 min read
What are the symptoms of salmonella?
Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever for a short period in most people.
However, it can lead to more serious illness, including sepsis requiring hospital admission, particularly in those who are more vulnerable to infection.
3 min read
Watch more from The i Paper
Uefa prepares criminal complaint against Infantino – what we know
The president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino, may face legal action by European football’s governing body Uefa over his now-scrapped plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Gianni Infantino has denied reports that payments were made to an alleged mistress while he was serving as Uefa general secretary (Photo: PA)
Uefa request access to evidence
The body has applied for documents to be made available to them to bring legal actoin against Infantino in Switzerland.
In court documents Uefa accuses him of “criminal mismanagement” over the sale plan, claiming it was a “vehicle” for Infantino and others to “profit from Fifa’s most valuable assets”.
Infantino cannot be allowed to get away with this (Photo: Getty)
3 min read
What does Uefa say Infantino did wrong ?
Lines have been drawn – now let the battle commence (Photo: Getty)
Pushed through the plan “hastily” with “limited” member involvement.
Gave Fifa a “fraudulently off-market price” for his “own benefit”.
Analysis
5 min read
What happens now?
Uefa has applied to a court in Florida to gain access to files held by two Fifa businesses – Fifa Americas and FWC2026 . These would be used in a court case in Switzerland.
Rodri – Spain’s midfield general (Photo: Getty)
Football is one of the few remaining institutions that still creates genuine community across class, politics and generations (Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Uefa says it may persue charges against other Fifa officials, claiming the plan would have harmed the 55 member nations of Fifa, who it says were not consulted.
More on this from The i Paper
EXCLUSIVE | What is Gianni Infantino really like behind closed doors? A Fifa whistleblower has revealed all. A former chair of Fifa’s governance committee has accused football’s governing body of “serious, systemic” problems, claiming its independent committees are “not generally independent” and questioning how power is exercised under Gianni Infantino. Special Projects Editor Rob Hastings speaks to Miguel Maduro, the former senior Fifa official brought in after the organisation’s corruption scandals, about why he believes nothing is likely to change despite the latest controversy. #Infantino #Fifa #News #WorldCup #DonaldTrump #Whistleblower
♬ original sound – The i Paper – The i Paper
MONEY
Exes could get rights to your assets under law change
(Photo: Getty).
Unmarried romantic partners could be entitled to part of their ex’s assets if a break-up leaves them unable to meet their basic needs.
Some believe the proposals being considered by the Government would tackle “completely outdated and inadequate” laws governing relationships, Sky News reported.
What is being proposed?
Unmarried romantic partners could ask a court to get involved if distributing the couple’s assets based on who owns what is not enough to meet the needs of each partner or their children.
The court would distribute them in a way that ensures everyone can afford housing and living costs.
Children’s needs would come first so the primary caregiver has enough resources for them.
The courts would look at each partner’s earning capacity, financial resources, age, any disabilities and the length of relationship.
Who would the rules apply to?
The rules would apply to adults in romantic relationships who have lived together for at least three years or who share a child and lived together for any period. They would apply automatically, with the option for couples to opt out if they mutually agree. The rules are intended to benefit financially exposed women who sacrificed their careers to care for their children or victims of domestic abuse.
3 min read
Divorce Diaries
4 min read
The expert view
Many people consciously choose not to remarry because they value both companionship and financial independence. They should remain free to make that choice, and the law should respect – not undermine – it
Baroness Ruth Deech, former law professor and chair of the Bar Standards Board
Experts say people are looking for ways to protect their pension wealth (Eleganza/Getty Images)
Watch more from The i Paper
Opinion | “There’s a new moral panic about women’s sexual preferences,” writes Kate Lister. “People have been fretting about women reading for a sexy thrill for hundreds of years. Is it not time to just allow them to enjoy a naughty book?” At the link above, Lister argues that the backlash against women reading romantasy novels is less about literature and more about who is reading it. #Booktok #RomanceNovels #Fantasy
♬ original sound – The i Paper – The i Paper
MONEY
The tactic that could protect your pension from inheritance tax raid – and the risks
There has been an increase in people looking to use a new tactic to avoid their pension wealth being subjected to high inheritance tax after their death, experts say.
What are people doing?
Experts say more parents are asking whether they could use a lifetime annuity, which provides a guaranteed income for life, to pass on their wealth to an adult child after their passing. Here’s what you need to know.
The move would avoid the usual high inheritance tax bill for recipients, although it is currently an option only offered by two providers and there are several risks to be aware of.
A lifetime annuity is a retirement product, bought from an insurer, that turns your pension into a guaranteed income for life.
A joint annuity can be used to continue paying an income to a nominated person – in this case, potentially an adult child – after, for example, a parent dies in order to avoid a high IHT bill.
What are the risks?
The annuity is generally irreversible, suitable choices are limited and the income paid to the child may itself be taxable depending on the father’s age at death. Financial adviser Zoë Dagless said the insurer is pricing the annuity on the basis that it could continue for the child’s lifetime, so you are likely to be giving up a fair amount of income compared with an annuity based on the client’s life only.
3 min read
Money Clinic
3 min read
More on money from The i Paper
HEALTH
Men ‘hate diets’ and struggle to lose weight on them
Smoothie bowl for healthy vegan diet. Fresh pressed superfood with nuts, berry and fruits – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Men struggle to lose weight on diets because they are mainly aimed at women and seem too restrictive, research has found.
Avoiding the word “diet” in weight-loss programmes could help men because it is seen as feminine, The Times reported.
What the research found
Framing weight-loss programmes as competitions or challenges could help men, scientists said.
Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University found that men felt dieting was associated with being denied food they enjoyed and were reluctant to commit to programmes if significant sacrifices were involved.
Men were more likely to lose weight when dietary changes were designed by their partners or when they were supported by them.
Having a buddy or mentor was also beneficial.
What was the study based on?
The study, published in the journal Plos One, was based on interviews with 24 men aged 30 and over about their experiences of weight-loss programmes.
3 min read
Exclusive
3 min read
The expert view
For weight-loss programmes to appeal to men, they should involve quick wins, early rewards and a degree of social competitiveness around aesthetic gains, ahead of health-specific requirements. This could involve sport or physical challenges, perhaps focused on strength or stamina
Justin Roberts, the colead author and a professor of nutritional physiology
Is strength training for you? (Photo: Nick David/Getty/Digital Vision)
More on health from The i Paper
Why cutting fat isn’t always healthy. It is something of a cliché that healthy eating advice can vary depending on the source. The clearest example may be recommendations about how much fat to have in your diet. For years, mainstream advice has been that we should reduce the amount of fat we eat, to aid weight control. We are supposed to especially avoid saturated fat, found mainly in animal products like red meat, eggs and dairy, as this is thought to raise cholesterol levels, which is bad for the heart. But in recent years, there has been growing support for an alternative theory, that it is more important to avoid carbohydrates, namely sugar, as well as starchy food like bread and pasta. Whether you are debating whole milk versus skimmed, or weighing up how much fat is in your diet generally, the upsides of fat sometimes get overlooked. HealthyEating, NutritionDebate, LowFat, LowCarb, SaturatedFat, DietTips, HeartHealth, Cholesterol, FoodMyths, HealthyFats, WholeMilk, SkimmedMilk, CarbsVsFat, DietConfusion, #NutritionAdvice
♬ original sound – The i Paper – The i Paper
UK officials have raised the matter directly with the embassy, a Government source said, while a Metropolitan Police investigation remains ongoing.
“Any attempts by a foreign state to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm individuals on UK soil will never be tolerated,” the source added.
The diplomatic row is likely to raise fresh questions over China’s conduct and its alleged attempts to silence dissidents in the UK. While ministers will await the outcome of the police investigation, the insider said: “Where there is evidence of a crime, we will not hesitate to act.”
Scotland Yard confirmed to this newspaper that enquiries into the alleged incident were ongoing, with officers reviewing video footage from the protest.
The i Paper has seen footage which appears to show two embassy workers waving what look like stun batons towards protesters who are approaching the embassy gates.
Campaigners allege that embassy security personnel pointed electroshock weapons at them when tensions boiled over during a candlelit vigil for Lobga Rangzen, a Tibetan activist who died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. Rangzen was a prominent Tibetan independence activist who accused China of repression of Tibet.
Electroshock weapons are prohibited under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “On Friday, 3 July at around 6pm, police were called to reports of a protest outside the Chinese Embassy on Portland Place, W1B.
“Officers attended the scene. Two protesters alleged that embassy staff had pointed a taser towards them. No injuries were reported and officers left the area once the protestors had dispersed on their own accord.”
No arrests have been made. The force added: “The investigation continues as officers review evidence, including video footage supplied by witnesses.”
Although the police statement refers to a “taser”, witnesses said the embassy guards appeared to be brandishing stun batons.
The investigation comes as nearly 20 human rights organisations, including Free Tibet, Hong Kong Watch and Stop Uyghur Genocide, wrote to the Prime Minister last week calling on the Government to seek a waiver of diplomatic immunity from the Chinese embassy so that the police investigation “may proceed unobstructed”.
According to the letter, seen by The i Paper, the organisations argue that every plausible route by which prohibited weapons could have entered the embassy – whether in diplomatic baggage that is exempt from customs searches, or through a purchase made in the UK – would raise questions of potentially unlawful conduct.
They also question what assurance the public can have “that nothing else prohibited under UK law is held there”.
The letter points to violence against a protester at the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester in 2022 as an earlier example of the difficulties faced by British authorities when allegations involve diplomatic personnel.
The Manchester confrontation took place during a demonstration against the Chinese government and was filmed by those at the scene. A protester was pulled through the consulate gates and into the grounds, where he was beaten, as other demonstrators attempted to intervene.
The Foreign Office summoned China’s most senior representative and demanded an explanation. Six Chinese diplomats subsequently left the UK after the Government requested that they be made available for questioning – meaning no charges were brought.
The episode became a test of how far diplomatic immunity could frustrate a UK police investigation.
Luke de Pulford, founder and executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said: “Again, China shows shocking contempt for our laws. Carrying stun sticks is illegal in the UK, but Chinese Communist Party (CCP) guards have them. The video footage is unequivocal.”
He warned that the police would struggle to exercise their powers because the embassy site is inviolable land, meaning authorities cannot enter without the ambassador’s permission.
“Those responsible must be prosecuted immediately, or named persona non grata and expelled,” de Pulford said.
The row over the Portland Place incident comes weeks after the High Court dismissed a separate legal challenge brought by residents of Royal Mint Court against the granting of planning permission for China’s vast new embassy near the Tower of London.
In a ruling handed down on 31 July, Lord Justice Dingemans and Mrs Justice Lieven found that the housing secretary under the Starmer government had lawfully considered national security and other risks in approving the scheme in January.
Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association, whose case argued that blacked-out rooms in the approved plans, and the site’s inaccessibility to emergency services under diplomatic inviolability, posed an unmanageable fire risk, is expected to seek to take the case to the Court of Appeal.
Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister, said: “The Government claims that China will obey planning rules for their new mega-embassy but even their guards aren’t obeying our laws, they’re carrying illegal weapons.”
The Chinese embassy were approached for comment.