UK demands consular access to Jimmy Lai as West assails Hong Kong publisher’s trial
- China has targeted Lai ‘in a clear attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association’, says David Cameron
- In London, the government insists that Lai is a British citizen as he faces national security charges that could imprison him for life
The British government has demanded consular access to Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, reiterating that he is a citizen of the United Kingdom, amid a landmark national security trial.
“We have absolutely done everything, and we continue to ask for consular access for Jimmy Lai … we are very comfortable and certain that he is indeed a British citizen,” said Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan during a parliamentary debate in London on Monday.
The debate was sparked by the commencement of Lai’s trial, which has drawn widespread media attention across the world. Lai, the 76-year-old founder of shuttered tabloid Apple Daily, is fighting collusion charges that could result in him spending the rest of his life behind bars.
He faces three charges relating to sedition and collusion with foreign forces for allegedly drawing international sanctions against authorities and inciting public hatred in the wake of anti-government protests in 2019.
Numerous Western governments called on Monday for Lai’s immediate release, while observers from at least 10 consulates – including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland – were present in court.
