The Dalai Lama has given a stark warning that he is losing the support of many of his followers inside Tibet because of the Chinese government’s refusal to strike a deal with him over the territory’s future.

As he continues a tour of European cities to rally support for Tibet’s autonomy from Beijing, the 72-year-old Nobel laureate has expressed hope that China will begin serious negotiations with his representatives over greater autonomy for the region in a few weeks’ time.