Jimmy Lai: Prison Sentence Debate
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Stephen Gethins
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Jimmy Lai: Prison Sentence
Stephen Gethins Excerpts(1 week, 1 day ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
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Seema Malhotra
My hon. Friend will know how important it is that the Sino-British declaration is upheld. We expect the standards established by the declaration to be upheld, and not just in relation to historic commitments by Britain—we expect China to do the same.
Stephen Gethins (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry) (SNP)
As the Minister is aware, there is cross-party consensus that we are horrified by the jailing of Jimmy Lai. She will also be aware that there are consequences when a UK Government are perceived as being weak, including for British citizens. The Minister said that the Prime Minister spoke softly; he also spoke ineffectively, so will she tell us what is next?
Seema Malhotra
Perhaps I will just say again what I have shared with the House today. In relation to the announcement, we continue to advocate publicly and privately for Jimmy Lai’s release. We have not hidden our view over his imprisonment. We have not hidden that we see it as politically motivated. We have said clearly and unequivocally that he should be released on humanitarian grounds. That remains a priority for this Government, and it remains a priority for the Prime Minister. The hon. Member will know that.