Following reports of protests in Tibet, Nick Clegg has repeated his call for the Prime Minister to listen to the Dalai Lama and make the strongest possible representations to the Chinese Government.

Commenting, Nick Clegg said:

"I have always been a staunch supporter of the rights of the Tibetan people which have been trampled on for far too long by the authorities in Beijing.

"That is why I will be meeting the Dalai Lama when he comes to London in May and I have written to Gordon Brown to urge him to do the same.

"Given the worrying reports of protests and violence in Tibet the Prime Minister must urgently confirm that he will meet with and listen to the Dalai Lama and make the strongest possible representations to the Chinese Government.

"The Chinese government must understand that with the privilege of hosting the Olympic Games comes the responsibility of honouring the highest standards of human rights at home as well as abroad."