Hong Kong democracy campaigner accuses UK police of asking her to ‘self-censor’

Exclusive: Thames Valley police requested Carmen Lau ‘avoid public gatherings’ after neighbours received bounty letters

A former Hong Kong politician and prominent democracy campaigner has accused British police of asking her to “self-censor” and “retreat from public life” after officers asked her to agree to avoid public gatherings.

The request, outlined in a signed “memorandum of understanding” seen by the Guardian, has alarmed exiled dissidents who fear it may embolden attempts to silence criticism of Chinese and Hong Kong officials worldwide.