Jimmy Lai Conviction

Lord Carlile of Berriew Excerpts

Wednesday 17th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We are clear that Jimmy Lai is British. He should be released because there was no need for him to be detained in the first place. This whole situation has been politically driven from the very beginning, not least for the reasons that my noble friend describes about wanting to make an example and to induce this chilling effect that has occurred. Our Prime Minister will do whatever he needs to do and will make the argument in the way that he thinks is most impactful, as I know my noble friend would expect, to argue for and demand the immediate release of Jimmy Lai.

[Lord Carlile of Berriew (CB)]

Returning to the question of the judges, will the Minister be a little bolder in the light of the clear death of the rule of law in Hong Kong? The continued membership of six Commonwealth senior retired judges on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal—four Australian and two British—is used as support by the Chinese regime for how it is behaving. In that light, will the Government not be a little bolder and advise those judges that now is the time for them to resign on the basis of a clear principle, which they must well understand, however long they have been on the Bench?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I can have a view about that. Others might have a view if the Government were to attempt to instruct judges about what they should do. My comments in response to the earlier question are probably as far as I am going to go this evening, but I hear what the noble Lord says and his reasons for saying it. His words are on the record. Perhaps those judges may want to consider the points that he has made.