Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Hostile State Activity: Prosecution

Thursday 19 June 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jon Pearce asked the Solicitor General to update the House on the implementation of Jonathan Hall's report on state-backed terrorism and how it may help improve conviction rates.
  • The Solicitor General responded that the government is committed to implementing Jonathan Hall's review recommendations to tackle state threats, including a new proscription-like power.
  • Ben Maguire raised concerns about Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Chloe Cheung being followed in London and the lack of police follow-up despite providing evidence.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jon Pearce Lab High Peak
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Local constituents are concerned about state-backed terror following recent arrests in the area. Jonathan Hall’s report on state-backed terrorism was mentioned previously by the government.

Question

Many of my constituents are concerned about state-backed terror, given the recent arrests in and around my constituency. Will the Solicitor General update the House on the implementation of Jonathan Hall’s report on state-backed terrorism and how that may help us to improve conviction rates?

Answer from The Solicitor General

My hon. Friend rightly mentions Jonathan Hall KC’s recommendations. As the Home Secretary announced, we are committed to taking forward the suite of recommendations made in Jonathan Hall’s review to tackle state threats, including the creation of a new proscription-like power.

Answered
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Q2 Ben Maguire Lib Dem North Cornwall
Community Security Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

Activists, such as Chloe Cheung and Jimmy Lai, have reported being harassed after providing evidence to the police. There are concerns about surveillance capabilities at a new Chinese super-embassy.

Question

I recently met Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Chloe Cheung, who reported being followed by men here in London after a large bounty was placed on her head by the Chinese Government. Despite providing copious evidence to the police, she received no follow-up at all. The lawyers of detained activist Jimmy Lai are also being harassed, while the plans for the new Chinese super-embassy, if built, could seriously increase China’s capacity for surveillance, intimidation and transnational repression against Hong Kong activists here in London. Will the Solicitor General please commit to looking into this issue urgently so that we can all have confidence in the UK’s ability to prosecute hostile state actors and protect those who live on UK soil?

Answer from The Solicitor General

The hon. Member raises an important issue, and I will make sure that Home Office colleagues have heard the concerns he raises. Ministers have raised concerns of that nature with the authorities, including in Hong Kong and Beijing, and I want to be very clear: we will not tolerate any attempts by foreign Governments to harass or harm their critics on British soil.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific commitment to investigating these issues urgently as requested

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