The last British governor of Hong Kong has severely criticised Vatican policy over China, accusing Rome of unwarranted secrecy and “self-delusion” in its dealings with the Communist superpower.

Lord Patten of Barnes also hit out at what he said was the “incredibly lily-livered” treatment of Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former Bishop of Hong Kong who is presently on trial in China charged with funding pro-democracy campaigners during disturbances in 2019.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4, Lord Patten, a practising Catholic, accused the Vatican of operating a misguided “policy of appeasement” in dealing with “thuggish dictators”.