Keir Starmer says Jimmy Lai's release is a priority for the UK.

Reuters

Jimmy Lai to appear in court in 2023

Securing the release of democracy activist and British citizen Jimmy Lai from a Hong Kong prison is a top priority for the government, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative leader Rishi Sunak asked whether Lai's imprisonment was in breach of the 1984 treaty transferring control of Hong Kong from Britain to China.

The Prime Minister agreed this was a breach and said the government would “continue” its litigation with China.

Lai, 76, was arrested in 2020 on charges of fraud and involvement in protests, and, following delays, is currently on trial on charges of sedition and collusion with foreign powers.

His son called on Sir Keir to “act” to “save his father’s life”.

Sebastien Lai said he was “grateful” for the prime minister's remarks.

However, he added, “My father will soon be 77 years old. He spent nearly four years in solitary confinement in a maximum security prison for his peaceful campaign for democracy in Hong Kong.”

“As you know, his health has deteriorated significantly. I would like to ask our Prime Minister to take action to save my father’s life and bring him home.”

Jimmy Lai has pleaded not guilty, but faces life in prison if convicted.

Lai founded the now-defunct newspaper Apple Daily and participated in Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests.

Under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, China agreed that Hong Kong would enjoy a “high degree of autonomy” and retain certain rights, including freedom of assembly and press.

But over time, China has tightened its grip on the former British colony, passing a national security law in 2020 that will make it easier to suppress protests.

Lai's lawyer was critical of the British government's involvement in the case.

“We have been told that the Jimmy Rice case is a priority for the Government. So why has the Foreign Secretary still not met with us or his son Sébastien, despite repeated requests?” she told The Times on Tuesday.

Caolifhionn Gallagher said that of the last five foreign secretaries, only David Cameron had met Lai's legal team.

She said: This is a disappointing and flawed approach that undermines important efforts to free Jimmy Lai and fundamentally undermines the government's official position that he should be released.

Sir Keir said of Sunak's case: “As he understands, this case is a priority for the government.

“We call on Hong Kong authorities to immediately release the British national.

“The foreign minister raised this issue in his first meeting with his Chinese counterpart and we will continue to do so,” he added.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy is scheduled to visit China this week.

Ms Gallagher said the question was what the Government would do “before it was too late”.

She added: “This case should be at the top of the government’s agenda in its relationship with China.”

Sunak also used Prime Minister's Questions to ask Sir Keir about the implementation of the Foreign Influence Register scheme.

In 2023, the Conservative government plans to force people working for foreign powers or agencies to report their lobbying activities.

This was partly prompted by growing concerns about China's clandestine activities in the UK.

The scheme was due to come into force this year, but the Home Office confirmed it was “no longer envisaged”.

Sunak said the scheme had been described as “essential” by MI5 and had asked why the Chancellor had “paused” its implementation.

Sir Keir simply replied: “That’s not correct.”

Sunak responded: “It is very clear what the government has said and I urge him to act quickly on this issue and implement his plans.”

The prime minister's spokesman later told reporters the plan would “strengthen national security” and that work was “underway” to make it happen.

Sunak also accused the government of stopping enforcing freedom of speech laws that would have helped “protect universities” from Chinese political influence.

The Prime Minister said he knew “first-hand” the work that security and intelligence agencies do and that the government “supports everything they do”.

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