The son of imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has issued a stark warning to the British government, stating that his father's rapidly declining health in prison means silence is no longer an option. Sebastien Lai has called for immediate action ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's planned diplomatic trip to China.
A Politically-Motivated Verdict and Deteriorating Health
Sebastien Lai condemned the trial that led to his 78-year-old father's imprisonment as a politically-motivated process without a jury. Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was convicted under Hong Kong's national security law, which was imposed by Beijing in the summer of 2020. He was arrested mere weeks after the law came into force.
The elder Lai, who holds only a full UK passport, was accused of crimes based on actions taken years before the legislation existed. He was denied his chosen lawyer during what became one of the longest trials in Hong Kong's history.
His son now reports that Jimmy Lai's health is in serious jeopardy after nearly five years in detention, much of it spent in solitary confinement. "He has been left to swelter in a tiny concrete cell, his window covered to deny him access to fresh air and sunlight," Sebastien Lai wrote.
The family's concerns are severe and specific:
- He suffers from diabetes, heart palpitations, and extreme fatigue.
- His daughter, Claire, reports swelling in his limbs and persistent infections.
- There are alarming signs of physical decay, including rotting teeth and nails that are changing colour and falling out.
A Direct Appeal to Downing Street and Beijing
Sebastien Lai has framed his father's case as a critical test for UK-China relations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to travel to China in late January 2026 for talks aimed at improving diplomatic ties.
"Surely the unjust imprisonment of a British citizen is an obstacle to that goal," Sebastien argues, insisting that his father's release should be a precondition for any meaningful dialogue. He expresses gratitude for the UK government's past support but stresses the urgent need for a resolution, stating his father's wish is simply to return to the UK to live out his days in peace with his family.
In a pointed message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lai suggests that releasing his father would also be a wise strategic move. He contends that holding "perhaps the most famous political prisoner in the world" in Hong Kong damages the city's credibility as an international financial hub governed by the rule of law.
The Fight for Justice Continues
Asserting that his father remains a hero with an unbroken spirit, Sebastien Lai vows that the campaign for his release is entering a new chapter. He is determined to ensure the world does not forget Jimmy Lai, despite what he calls an illegitimate verdict.
"The clock is ticking," he warns, underscoring that his father's advanced age and critical health condition make every moment of inaction potentially fatal. The appeal leaves the British government with a clear and urgent diplomatic challenge as it prepares for high-stakes talks with Beijing.
