Brown must speak out on China's role in Darfur

2.19.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 14th Apr 2008

Liberal Democrat MEPs and MPs holding a banner that reads "DARFUR" and wearing blue berets to symbolise the need for UN involvement

Over 3,000 protesters gathered outside the Sudanese Embassy in London on Sunday as part of a global day of action to end the conflict in Darfur. Addressing the protest, Nick Clegg called on Gordon Brown to speak out against China's role in Darfur and persuade China to use its influence to bring the fighting there to an end.

Nick Clegg said "Instead of facing this way and that on the Olympics, unsure of whether he can say boo to China or not, Gordon Brown must take a strong stand with the Chinese Government. He must use the year of the Olympics to speak out about China's role in Darfur and persuade them to change. We must put pressure on every faction, every militia, every soldier in Darfur to stop fighting and come to the negotiating table. That is the only way we can secure a lasting peace."