UK grants asylum to ex-staffer at its Hong Kong consulate
(WorldNews Politics)

LONDON (AP) — A former employee at the British consulate in Hong Kong has been granted political asylum in what he believes is the first successful U.K. asylum case from the former British colony. Simon Cheng, who alleges that he was detained and tortured in China last year, told The Associated Press that he hopes his successful application encourages other democracy activists from the semi-autonomous Chinese territory to seek protection in the U.K. as Beijing clamps down on the city`s protest movement. Cheng, 29, also said that while he is relieved asylum was granted, he remains worried `they will take my family members as hostage and send more agents to crush down the pro-democracy cause...