Trial of Jimmy Lai

Debate between Neale Hanvey and Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Monday 18th December 2023 Commons Chamber

[Anne-Marie Trevelyan]

As I set out in answer to an earlier question, Jimmy Lai obviously wanted to have his own choice of legal representation. He has a fantastic team of lawyers here in the UK supporting him. The challenge for those representing him at the trial is one that we continue to highlight, as I set out earlier. The frustration in the way this system works means that he does not have the international lawyer of his choosing with him. However, we will continue to highlight those failings and, as so many colleagues have highlighted, what we consider the right use of the legal system and such independent representation should be.

[Neale Hanvey (Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) (Alba)]

Every reasonable democrat will be happy to support the plea of the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) on behalf of Mr Lai. However, there is a whiff of hypocrisy in the air. In 2021, former ambassador Craig Murray was imprisoned on the fabricated conceit of jigsaw identification, and Julian Assange has been held in Belmarsh prison for 1,300 or more days. Will the Government lead by example and desist from harassing journalist Craig Murray and others, and free Julian Assange now?

[Anne-Marie Trevelyan]

rose—

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Neale Hanvey and Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Tuesday 8th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Anne-Marie Trevelyan]

Mr Speaker, if I may, I will ask the noble Lord Goldsmith to write to my hon. Friend with the details.

[Neale Hanvey (Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) (Alba)]

T9. UK Foreign Secretaries of every political hue thrive on declaring themselves defenders of democracy the world over. I am sure the Minister would agree with Aristotle that the absence of democracy leads only to oligarchy or tyranny. Given that democracy is a continuous process and not a single event, does the Minister accept that Westminster’s continued denial of Scottish democracy makes a laughing stock of UK foreign policy, and is it oligarchy or tyranny, when an argument for both could easily be mounted?