Ministers urged to explain plans which could re-establish Hong Kong extraditions
Shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns urged the Government to ensure 'protections will be put in place to ensure no Hongkonger, CCP (Chinese Community Party) critic or anyone targeted by the CCP will be extradited under the new arrangement'.
The UK's extradition treaty with Hong Kong was suspended by the then-Tory government after a new national security law was imposed on the territory by China in 2020.
The treaty meant Hong Kong could request that someone living in the UK suspected of a crime at home could be handed over to face justice, and vice versa.
Fears that the law could lead to human rights abuses were behind the UK's reasoning to put the agreement on ice.
Ministers have now introduced a law change in the Commons which would tweak how Hong Kong is designated under the 2003 Extradition Act.
The statutory instrument introduced in the Commons on July 17 would effectively establish a 'case-by-case' extradition route with Hong Kong, as well as Zimbabwe.
It also changes how Chile is classified under the Act because the South American country has signed an international extradition treaty.
In a letter to shadow home secretary Chris Philp seen by the PA news agency, security minister Dan Jarvis suggested the change was needed as no extradition to Hong Kong can currently be made 'even if there were strong operational grounds to do so'.
Mr Jarvis added: 'The way to resolve this situation is to de-designate Hong Kong and Zimbabwe from the Act so that we can co-operate with them on the case-by-case ad hoc basis available for non-treaty partners.
'The safety and security of our citizens is our top priority.
'Ensuring that territories are correctly designated under the Act will ensure that the UK can accept extradition requests in a lawful and timely way to ensure the public is not put at risk.'
Writing in response to Mr Jarvis, shadow minister Ms Kearns questioned why the Government had taken the step, as she said the situation in Hong Kong had 'worsened' in the years since the national security law was introduced.
She pointed to the case of Jimmy Lai, the 77-year-old British national and proprietor of the Apple Daily newspaper, who is facing detention by the Chinese government, as well as other critics of Beijing.
'Has the Government assessed political freedom and the rule of law have been returned to Hong Kong, or have you decided these issues are no longer saleable alongside the 'reset' in relations between the UK and China?' Ms Kearns asked in her letter.
Government plans to reintroduce extradition cooperation with Hong Kong are highly concerning.
Why does the Government deem this reasonable when freedom of expression, political freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong have been crushed by The National Security Law and the… pic.twitter.com/fGY12WMDJv
— Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) July 24, 2025
In a post on social media, she added: 'I urge the Government to give urgent reassurances on how this system will be safely managed and what protections will be put in place to ensure no Hong Konger, CCP critic or anyone targeted by the CCP will be extradited under the new arrangement.'
The Hong Kong national security law criminalises anything considered to be secessionist from China, and has led to a crackdown on critics of Beijing.
Some 150,000 Hongkongers have moved to the UK under a special visa scheme launched in early 2021, after the law was introduced.
Since coming to power, Labour has sought to reset relations with China with the aim of boosting trade, after the Conservatives took an increasingly hawkish attitude towards the country while they were in office.
In a statement, security minister Mr Jarvis said it was 'entirely incorrect to say the UK has restored extradition co-operation with Hong Kong'.
He added: 'The 1997 treaty remains suspended and this legislation simply completes the severing of ties between the British and Hong Kong extradition systems. This amendment is in order to give legal effect to the suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.'
The Government is 'unwavering in its commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and the safety of all individuals in the UK, including the many Hong Kongers who have made this country their home', Mr Jarvis said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Veterans hail temporary reprieve on Northern Ireland 'lawfare' as Labour legislation bid stalls
The campaign to protect SAS veterans from historical legal actions was boosted on Monday night by an apparent delay to Labour 's bid to axe the Legacy Act. Aided by this newspaper's Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign, nearly 200,000 members of the public have so far backed a bid to ensure soldiers are not exposed to a witch-hunt in the form of misconduct claims from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Tory defence spokesman Mark Francois said the Government had been 'rocked' by the backlash and had postponed a Commons bid to scrap the Legacy Act, which provides protections to UK troops. He had expected Labour to present plans for alternative legislation before summer recess. But after a surge of public support for the Mail's campaign and a parliamentary debate, they were seemingly put on ice. The move may also be linked to a reported threat by Labour veterans minister Al Carns to resign over the issue. Just under 180,000 people have signed the parliamentary petition, boosted by former SAS reservist Sir David Davis, to support veterans. The battle to preserve their legal protections – deemed unlawful by a court in Northern Ireland – is expected to resume this autumn. Meanwhile, SAS veterans have stepped up plans to reenact an incident involving Special Forces soldiers and the IRA in 1992 which is the centre of a legal battle (pictured: the scene of the shoot out) On Monday night, Mr Francois said: 'While we have won this initial battle, with the help of the Mail and its readers, we haven't won the war. 'We still need to keep up the pressure on Labour MPs not to apply "two-tier justice".' Labour's intention to remove protections for UK troops included in the Legacy Act, which was introduced by the previous government's veterans minister Johnny Mercer, was included in its election manifesto. It made the vow after a successful legal challenge to the Act in Northern Ireland. A judge found the legislation was 'unlawful' as it undermined the UK's commitment to ensure a path to justice for those wronged by the state. Meanwhile, SAS veterans have stepped up plans to reenact an incident involving Special Forces soldiers and the IRA in 1992 which is the centre of a legal battle. As many as 12 SAS troops face possible murder charges following the deaths of four IRA men in County Tyrone in 1992. Former UK military commander in Northern Ireland Colonel Richard Kemp said: 'The British people don't want to see their soldiers thrown to the wolves over incidents they can scarcely recall several decades later. 'So no wonder so many people are backing the Mail's campaign.' A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence told the Mail on Monday night: 'The failed Legacy Act has been rejected by our domestic courts, exposing our brave veterans to no settled process or safeguards. 'Any incoming government would have had to fix the mess that was left, not least because it promised giving immunity to terrorists. 'This Government's commitment to our Operation Banner veterans is unshakeable. 'We will fix it by putting in place a fair and transparent system that gives survivors and families – including bereaved Armed Forces families – the ability to find answers and threats.'
South Wales Argus
20 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Sarina Wiegman urges more investment in women's game at Downing Street reception
After successfully defending their European crown with a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in the tournament's showpiece in Basel on Sunday evening, the England team flew home to attend a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The team arrived just before 7pm, with Number 10 decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. England's manager Sarina Wiegman (right) takes a selfie during the Downing Street reception (Richard Pohle/The Times) As Wiegman rose to speak to those gathered in the Downing Street garden she joked that 'this is different from standing next to a pitch'. She added: 'I have to make my apologies (for giving) you lots of heart attacks. You all made it through and we made it through and that's why we're here now. 'The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we're already legendary, what the team has done and the team behind the team. 'Thank you so much for having us here. It's very, very special to be here and to be in this very nice garden with the way you set it up with all these pictures, it makes it more special, it's the first moment it sinks in a little bit because it was surreal what happened last night.' Sarina Wiegman called for further investment in the women's game during a speech at Downing Street (Richard Pohle/The Times) Wiegman, speaking a few hours before the Government announced a new package of measures to boost access to grassroots football, used the moment to call for further investment in the game. 'This incredible team won the Euros and then straightaway sent a letter to you, the Government, asking for attention and asking for access to football for all girls,' Wiegman said. 'Steps have been taken but we're not done yet, we have to keep moving forward and we need a little bit more. 'I heard we need to change some things about taxes…I think we have that confirmation tonight. So let's move forward. 'We need some more investment. We're not there yet. In England we're up there but England needs to stay the trailblazer, it needs to be the big example. The players first but also the FA, the clubs, the Government, the country, the fans – let's keep being the trailblazers.' In her own speech, Rayner congratulated Wiegman's team on defending their title 'with grit, with determination and with skill'. 'You roared, and I know I wasn't the only one roaring with you,' Rayner said. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty for England in the shoot-out after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two outstanding saves. The game had gone to extra time and spot-kicks after Alessia Russo cancelled out the opener from Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey as it finished 1-1 following extra time. After almost a month of competition in Switzerland, the team's plane branded with the word 'home' touched down at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. Holding the trophy, captain Leah Williamson was first to step off the plane alongside Wiegman. Outside the airport, crowds were lined up to welcome the team and the trophy back home. The team were greeted by fans waiting outside the airport (Yui Mok/PA) A homecoming open-top bus parade follows in central London on Tuesday, where there will be a procession along The Mall and the celebration will finish with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. A trip to the Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Defender Jess Carter has not joined her team-mates for the celebrations in London as she has returned to the United States ahead of Gotham FC's NWSL match against the Chicago Stars on Saturday.
North Wales Chronicle
21 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sarina Wiegman urges more investment in women's game at Downing Street reception
After successfully defending their European crown with a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in the tournament's showpiece in Basel on Sunday evening, the England team flew home to attend a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The team arrived just before 7pm, with Number 10 decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. As Wiegman rose to speak to those gathered in the Downing Street garden she joked that 'this is different from standing next to a pitch'. She added: 'I have to make my apologies (for giving) you lots of heart attacks. You all made it through and we made it through and that's why we're here now. 'The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we're already legendary, what the team has done and the team behind the team. 'Thank you so much for having us here. It's very, very special to be here and to be in this very nice garden with the way you set it up with all these pictures, it makes it more special, it's the first moment it sinks in a little bit because it was surreal what happened last night.' Wiegman, speaking a few hours before the Government announced a new package of measures to boost access to grassroots football, used the moment to call for further investment in the game. 'This incredible team won the Euros and then straightaway sent a letter to you, the Government, asking for attention and asking for access to football for all girls,' Wiegman said. 'Steps have been taken but we're not done yet, we have to keep moving forward and we need a little bit more. 'I heard we need to change some things about taxes…I think we have that confirmation tonight. So let's move forward. 'We need some more investment. We're not there yet. In England we're up there but England needs to stay the trailblazer, it needs to be the big example. The players first but also the FA, the clubs, the Government, the country, the fans – let's keep being the trailblazers.' In her own speech, Rayner congratulated Wiegman's team on defending their title 'with grit, with determination and with skill'. 'You roared, and I know I wasn't the only one roaring with you,' Rayner said. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty for England in the shoot-out after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two outstanding saves. The game had gone to extra time and spot-kicks after Alessia Russo cancelled out the opener from Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey as it finished 1-1 following extra time. Welcome home, #Lionesses! 👋 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2025 After almost a month of competition in Switzerland, the team's plane branded with the word 'home' touched down at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. Holding the trophy, captain Leah Williamson was first to step off the plane alongside Wiegman. Outside the airport, crowds were lined up to welcome the team and the trophy back home. A homecoming open-top bus parade follows in central London on Tuesday, where there will be a procession along The Mall and the celebration will finish with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. A trip to the Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Defender Jess Carter has not joined her team-mates for the celebrations in London as she has returned to the United States ahead of Gotham FC's NWSL match against the Chicago Stars on Saturday.
