← Back to House of Commons Debates
Trial of Jimmy Lai
18 December 2023
Lead MP
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
TaxationForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Anne-Marie Trevelyan raised concerns about trial of jimmy lai in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Foreign Secretary has called on Hong Kong authorities to end Jimmy Lai's prosecution and release him, emphasising the politically motivated nature of his charges. He urged China to repeal its national security law and halt prosecutions under it. The minister expressed concerns over violations of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and highlighted that the UK will continue to press for Mr Lai’s release through diplomatic efforts. Diplomats from the UK consulate general have attended court proceedings as a show of support, but consular access remains denied by authorities. The statement reiterated the breach of the Sino-British joint declaration and expressed continued commitment to upholding international obligations.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Question
Duncan Smith expressed concern over breaches of the Sino-British agreement, calling for reconsideration of China as a systemic threat. He questioned why no sanctions have been placed on individuals responsible for Hong Kong’s national security law and urged concrete actions to protect UK citizens facing similar situations.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged the breaching of the Sino-British joint declaration but stated that potential future sanctions are under review, emphasising close cooperation with G7 partners to address China's policies.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Question
West urged sustained interest from the Government in Jimmy Lai’s case and asked for a commitment that the Foreign Secretary’s intervention will not be a one-off. She emphasised the need for consistent support to ensure freedoms promised under the Sino-British agreement.
Minister reply
The minister affirmed her continued focus on Jimmy Lai's situation, highlighting ongoing efforts in collaboration with like-minded partners to secure his release and uphold international obligations.
Richard Graham
Con
Oxfordshire West and Abingdon
Question
Concerned about consular access for Jimmy Lai, the MP questions whether the Foreign Office has done everything possible to ensure Hong Kong realises that rights of access should not be violated.
Minister reply
The minister confirms that while the UK considers Jimmy Lai a British citizen, consular access is restricted due to Hong Kong's stance on dual nationality. The UK provided him with a new passport but cannot visit him in prison.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Question
The MP questions the effectiveness of current support for Jimmy Lai and seeks guarantees for future action if Beijing gets a negative verdict.
Minister reply
Acknowledges ongoing efforts but emphasises that consular access is restricted. Reiterates calls for Jimmy Lai's release and highlights the UK's actions such as suspending extradition treaties.
Tim Loughton
Con
East Worthing and Shoreham
Question
The MP urges action against China regarding human rights violations and asks for a coherent strategy to address them.
Minister reply
Stresses ongoing use of sanctions based on evidence but avoids discussing future designations to maintain their effectiveness.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Question
The MP questions the UK's commitment to upholding human rights in Hong Kong.
Minister reply
Reaffirms actions taken including suspending extradition treaties and extending arms embargo on mainland China to cover Hong Kong.
Bob Seely
Con
Isle of Wight
Question
The MP suggests the need for a coherent cross-government strategy towards China.
Minister reply
Points to the integrated review refresh published in March highlighting China’s challenges and working closely with G7 and other partners.
Orkney and Shetland
Question
The MP asks for representations to allow Timothy Owen KC to participate in Jimmy Lai's defence.
Minister reply
Explains the restrictions imposed by China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, emphasising calls for upholding rule of law.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
The MP asks how many times a totalitarian state must behave as such before being recognised.
Minister reply
Emphasises ongoing efforts to highlight and sanction breaches of freedoms while working with allies.
Holly Lynch
Lab
Batley and Spen
Question
Concerned about harassment faced by Jimmy Lai’s legal team, the MP asks for protections from transnational repression.
Minister reply
Acknowledges harassment and emphasises ongoing support to provide technical assistance to lawyers.
Mike Penning
Con
Hemel Hempstead
Question
The MP urges colleagues to sign an early-day motion in support of Jimmy Lai on his 76th birthday.
Minister reply
Agrees that the voice of Parliament is crucial and encourages the use of available tools for messaging.
Andrew Western
Lab
Stretford and Urmston
Question
Mr Lai’s detention is a shocking symbol of the erosion not just of human rights but of freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Given everything that we are seeing unfolding, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that we are supportive of what remains of a free press in Hong Kong?
Minister reply
Jimmy Lai has been an extraordinary champion of free speech, which he chose to continue despite the changing landscape in Hong Kong. We continue to support people across the piece, many of whom have come to the UK for sanctuary, to be able to speak out and use our freedom of press to share their concerns and highlight the abuses they are seeing.
Question
I join the calls for Jimmy Lai’s release. He is a devout Catholic, and his faith motivates his courageous campaigning for democracy in Hong Kong. After the sustained dismantling in Hong Kong of freedoms of expression, of association, of the press, of judicial independence and others, does the Minister share my concerns that the threats to freedom of religion or belief in Hong Kong are now very real? If she does not, will she please read “Sell Out My Soul: The Impending Threats to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Hong Kong”, the new report by Hong Kong Watch?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend continues in her role to be an extraordinary champion for freedom of religion or belief, and I absolutely agree with her. We continue to monitor freedom of religion or belief in Hong Kong through our regular six-monthly reports to Parliament and through interactions with local faith leaders.
Neil Coyle
Lab
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Question
I congratulate the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) on securing the urgent question. Jimmy Lai has many supporters in the UK, including Brits and those from Hong Kong, but many of them have experienced intimidation and harassment here in the UK from the Chinese Communist party. Those from Hong Kong face certain persecution, arrest and detention if they are forced to return. Twelve activists have recently been told by the UK Government that they are not at risk and have had their asylum claims rejected. Can the Minister explain UK Government policy on whether Hong Kong campaigners should qualify for asylum in the UK?
Minister reply
As I set out earlier, we brought forward the British nationals overseas route for Hong Kong residents to come to the UK. So far, approximately 191,000 applications have been processed, and 184,700 have been granted. The point the hon. Gentleman mentions is one that I am aware the Home Office is looking into.
Question
A regime such as this has to be judged not on its words, but on its deeds. In its systematic demolition of the rule of law and now of the independence of the legal profession itself, which was such a lively part of an economically successful and prosperous Hong Kong, China is demonstrating its real intentions. What more can the Government do not only to take direct action by way of sanction against the individuals concerned, but to make the strong point that the Basic Law is not an historical document, but a living instrument, and that we expect it to be adhered to?
Minister reply
My right hon. and learned Friend highlights an issue with which he is very familiar—he practises the law—and, indeed, he is absolutely right. The judiciary, the legal profession and those who are servants of it assure the safety and the right outcome of cases, and we will continue to challenge the Hong Kong authorities on the failures of the national security law and call for it to be repealed.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Question
The rule of law and how it is upheld across the world are absolutely essential to our global security and peace, and Mr Lai’s case shows how fragile they are, so what more can the Government do to reassert the importance of our all abiding by the rule of law?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is absolutely right, and much of the work that our diplomatic teams across the world do is in countries where the rule of law is not necessarily adhered to, but where there are abuses, human rights violations and so on. We continue to highlight and challenge those.
Marie Rimmer
Lab
St Helens South and Whiston
Question
The use of international lawyers has been a long-standing practice in Hong Kong, and we have failed Mr Lai. Will the Minister advise exactly what steps will be taken, and when, to secure or attempt to secure international legal representation of the British citizen Mr Lai?
Minister reply
As I set out in answer to an earlier question, Jimmy Lai obviously wanted to have his own choice of legal representation. He has a fantastic team of lawyers here in the UK supporting him. The challenge for those representing him at the trial is one that we continue to highlight.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
While I am thankful that the Foreign Secretary publicly acknowledged the case of Jimmy Lai at the United Nations in February 2023, and reportedly raised the case with Chinese officials during his visit to Beijing, the fact is that a British citizen remains behind bars. May I gently remind right hon. and hon. Members of early-day motion 213, to which they might want to add their names, and ask that the Foreign Secretary, with the voice of the entire British Government, including our Prime Minister and this House, calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Jimmy Lai, who has spent 1,000 days behind bars? Will the Minister do that today, and follow it through tomorrow with the appropriate channels?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is the most incredible champion for so many whose lives, and whose families’ lives, continue to be blighted by challenges to freedom of religion or belief. He is always willing to stand up for them.
Shadow Comment
Iain Duncan Smith
Shadow Comment
The shadow Foreign Secretary welcomed the change in rhetoric but criticised the delay in acknowledging Jimmy Lai's British citizenship. He highlighted breaches of the Sino-British agreement, calling for reconsideration of China as a systemic threat to democratic values. Duncan Smith also raised concerns about forced confessions and evidence extraction through torture, urging concrete actions to protect UK citizens facing similar situations. Additionally, he questioned why no sanctions have been placed on individuals responsible for Hong Kong’s national security law.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.