Hong Kong businessman and British citizen Jimmy Lai is facing “cruel and unusual punishment” given his continued imprisonment, according to the Foreign Secretary.
David Lammy attacked the treatment of Mr Laio as MPs renewed calls for the trial to be halted and the 76-year-old released.
A pro-democracy supporter, Mr. Lai was jailed in late 2020 in Hong Kong and is currently being held in solitary confinement after being charged with violating the territory’s new national security law.
Mr. Lai, who founded the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, pleaded guilty to charges of collusion with foreign powers and sedition and faces life in prison if convicted.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took Mr Lai’s case to Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recent G20 summit in Brazil.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Labor MP Rachel Blake (Cities of London and Westminster) said: “My constituent, British citizen Jimmy Lai, is now in failing health and I can thank the Foreign Secretary for his work and his department in supporting his right under international rights.
“Can the Secretary of State share with us his assessment of the extent of international support for the release of Jimmy Lai?”
Mr Lammy said the level of support was “massive”, including in the United States and the European Union.
He added: “The trial has started with him, he is already 70 years old, so I told the Chinese that he should be released.
“Frankly, this is becoming cruel and unusual punishment.”