Dalai Lama set for Leeds speech

The Dalai Lama is delivering a speech to Yorkshire business leaders in Leeds, as part of the Yorkshire International Business Convention.

There has been much controversy ahead of Tibet’s spiritual leader’s visit to West Yorkshire, with China having threatened to pull its athletes from Leeds Olympics training camp due to his involvement.

The speech was due to start at 11:30am today, but Leeds City Council has removed its association with the convention in a bid to distance itself from the Dalai Lama’s involvement and prevent any backlash.

Leeds is gearing up to host China’s training camp ahead of the London Olympics, where 220 athletes and coaches will be based across the city from the start of July.

The Yorkshire Business Convention has previously seen speeches from astronaut Neil Armstrong, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President of the USA, Bill Clinton.