MPs pen open letter to Liverpool FC over controversial sponsor

A group of MPs is urging Liverpool FC to step away from a deal with one of its Chinese partners.

The 25 parliamentarians have joined campaigners in calling for the club to reaffirm its commitment to human rights by scrapping its partnership with Tibet Water.

The MPs expressed concern that the deal ‘is not consistent’ with the values promoted in the club’s human rights framework.

As a result, they are asking Liverpool to uphold due diligence standards and ensure all LFC business partners commit to respecting human rights.

In an open letter to the club, the signatories stated that Tibet Water is only able to operate in Tibet as a result of China’s occupation of the region – and the human rights violations that uphold it.

MPs from Liverpool joining the campaign include Stephen Twigg, MP for Liverpool West Derby, and Dan Carden, MP for Liverpool Walton.

A campaign to break up the partnership launched in October last year, with Tibet organisations including the International Tibet Network, Free Tibet and Tibet Society among those involved. International consumer group SumOfUs has also lent its weight to the campaign.

Gloria Montgomery, head of advocacy and campaigns at Tibet Society, said: “Today’s backing from MPs shows that, along with Tibetans, Liverpool FC fans and other supporters, politicians from across the political spectrum care deeply about the Tibetan cause and are committed to ensuring brands and companies respect human rights when carrying out their business practices. Such a positive step is thanks to the tens of thousands of people who have supported the campaign calling on Liverpool FC to scrap the deal.”

The open letter can be read here.

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