Chris Patten hits out at China as HSBC row escalates

The last British governor of Hong Kong has accused China of using "mafia"-style tactics to bully British banks into backing a controversial new security law that will stifle dissent. Chris Patten hit out at Beijing's cheerleaders for trying to force Western companies into line, amid growing criticism of HSBC and Standard Chartered for backing the law. Lord Patten would not comment specifically on the banks' decisions. But he said: "It's a bit like dealing with the mafia and I sympathise with peo