The Metropolis

David Cameron, former employee of company that sold opium to China, will lecture same on human rights

Darren Atwater | Tuesday 9 November, 2010 10:21

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During his gap year in 1985, a young Dave Cameron took a position, for three months, in Hong Kong with one of that city’s most infamous firms, Jardine Matheson. Infamous because Jardine Matheson gained its initial wealth from selling opium to China and for calling in British gunboats when the Chinese government banned the trade. It’s a fun fact that will surely be enjoyed by Chinese officials when Cameron informs them of the importance of human rights. They’ll surely appreciate the UK’s innovative use of control orders, too.

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