A cross-party coalition of Members of Parliament has issued an urgent plea to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, demanding he secure the release and return of British citizen Jimmy Lai during his diplomatic visit to China. The 78-year-old pro-democracy advocate has been detained in Hong Kong for more than five years following his arrest in 2020, with his health reportedly in rapid decline.
Parliamentary Pressure Mounts on Prime Minister
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs has written directly to Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to make Jimmy Lai's freedom a non-negotiable condition of his China trip. The letter states unequivocally: "We hope one of the conditions of your visit is that you will be bringing Jimmy Lai home with you." This demand comes as projections reading 'Free Jimmy Lai' have appeared on prominent London landmarks including the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge, amplifying public awareness of his plight.
Grave Concerns Over Health and Treatment
The parliamentary group has expressed profound alarm about Mr Lai's deteriorating physical condition, which they attribute to his prolonged and harsh detention. Having endured significant periods in solitary confinement totalling over 1,800 days, his health has suffered dramatically. The MPs' letter warns starkly: "This will be a de facto death sentence for him given his age and declining health, exacerbated by his poor treatment. After being in solitary confinement for over 1,800 days, his health is rapidly deteriorating and his life is now at risk."
Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted in what the cross-party group describes as a politically motivated prosecution. They assert his continued detention is arbitrary and unsound, with the looming threat of a very lengthy custodial sentence or even life imprisonment if he remains in Chinese custody.
Trade Talks and Human Rights Dilemma
Sir Keir Starmer's visit to China has primarily focused on rebuilding economic relations and fostering closer trade ties with the Asian superpower, following a period of strained communications between Beijing and London under the previous Conservative government. Initial negotiations have yielded tangible results, including a 30-day visa-free travel arrangement for British citizens visiting China and reduced tariffs on whisky exports.
However, the parliamentary group has issued a clear warning that commercial interests must not overshadow fundamental human rights concerns. Their letter emphasises: "The UK's bilateral and trading relationship with China must not be advanced without any regard for the life of a British citizen imprisoned for his defence of democratic values." This creates a significant diplomatic balancing act for the Prime Minister as he navigates the competing priorities of economic engagement and principled advocacy.
Cross-Party Support and Prime Minister's Response
The appeal to Sir Keir carries substantial political weight, having been signed by a bipartisan group of parliamentarians. The letter bears the signatures of:
- Alicia Kearns, Conservative shadow minister and chairwoman of the APPG
- Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws, Labour peer and vice-chair
- Brendan O'Hara, SNP MP and vice-chair
- Tim Roca, Labour MP and vice-chair
Following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that Mr Lai's detention had been raised during discussions. The Prime Minister stated: "We raised those issues, as you would expect. Part of the rationale for engagement is to make sure that we can both seize the opportunities that are available, which is what we've done, but also have a mature discussion about issues that we disagree on." He characterised the exchange as a respectful discussion that also addressed the treatment of the Uighur minority.
The situation presents one of the first major human rights tests for Sir Keir Starmer's government on the international stage, as he attempts to reconcile the practical demands of global trade with the moral imperative to protect British citizens abroad. With Jimmy Lai's health reportedly failing after more than half a decade in detention, the pressure for decisive action continues to mount from both parliamentary colleagues and public campaigners.
