Starmer under fire for not securing release of Jimmy Lai during China trip
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of failing to get assurances that British citizen Jimmy Lai would be released despite going to China “with the deeds of the mega embassy in his back pocket”.
Lord Alton of Liverpool, who was previously sanctioned by the communist regime, criticized the Prime Minister in Parliament on Monday.
Baroness Chapman, Secretary of State for Darlington, argued that Mr Lai should be released immediately but said the government “cannot get everything we want in one visit”.
Sir Keir set out for China after the government approved Beijing’s proposed new super embassy in London despite security concerns.
During his trip, the Prime Minister conveyed Mr. Lai’s situation to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Mr. Lai, 78, is the founder of the now-defunct Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily and was an influential figure in the pro-democracy movement in the region.
He was arrested during a crackdown on protests in 2020 and detained for more than five years, much of that time in solitary confinement.
In December, he was found guilty of conspiracy and sedition by a Hong Kong court, sparking condemnation.
Lord Alton warned that Mr Lai would “likely die” in prison if he was not released soon.
He added: “I’m not against us visiting China, but why did we go with the title deeds of the mega embassy in our back pocket without any assurance that there would be reciprocity with the release of Jimmy Lai?”
In response, Lady Chapman said: “We agree that Jimmy Lai should be released immediately as he should not be imprisoned.
“It is right for the UK government to engage with China. After the UK has not been engaged in this way for so long, this is not the kind of situation where we can get everything we want in one visit. The relationship will improve.”
“It’s good that we are inclusive and clear about what we expect and want to happen for Jimmy Lai. Participation and challenge are not mutually exclusive, but go hand in hand.”
He had previously told his peers: “The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the politically motivated prosecution of British citizen Jimmy Lai.
“Mr Lai was targeted for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and that is why we summoned the Chinese ambassador over his decision and why we are raising his case at every opportunity.
“The Prime Minister discussed the matter directly with President Xi last week and urged Hong Kong authorities to release him on humanitarian grounds.”
