Hong Kong 47: UK MPs call for release of ex-lawmaker Claudia Mo

A radical of 54 British MPs and nationalist figures person called for the merchandise of a erstwhile Hong Kong lawmaker truthful she tin sojourn her critically-ill husband.

Claudia Mo, 66, has been successful detention since being arrested successful 2021 nether a arguable nationalist information law.

Her husband, British writer Philip Bowring, has pneumonia and is successful a Hong Kong intensive attraction ward.

The radical has urged the UK Foreign Secretary to rise the family's lawsuit with Hong Kong authorities.

"Considering Philip's deteriorating aesculapian condition, we impulse you to intercede connected Claudia Mo's behalf with the Hong Kong government... truthful she tin beryllium with her husband," work the letter, sent connected 24 February.

It besides argued the UK's overseas bureau bore a "special responsibility" for Ms Mo's payment arsenic her hubby and 2 children are UK citizens.

Ms Mo had antecedently besides held British citizenship which she gave up aft becoming a subordinate of Hong Kong's parliament, the Legislative Council.

The radical includes immoderate of the city's astir salient pro-democracy figures, specified arsenic pupil activistic Joshua Wong and instrumentality prof Benny Tai. Most of them person been detained the past 2 years connected information grounds.

The rights radical that organised the letter, the UK-based Hong Kong Watch, told the BBC they had received nary effect yet from Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Signatories see Hong Kong's past British politician Chris Patten, erstwhile Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, president of the Conservative Party's 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady and erstwhile Liberal Democrat person Tim Farron.

It urges the UK authorities to property Hong Kong authorities and unafraid the merchandise of the Hong Kong 47 absorption lawmakers and activists.

The missive besides notes that galore of the 47 charged person British National Overseas (BNO) status, which nether a peculiar visa strategy enables Hong Kong residents to travel to the UK for up to 5 years and use for imperishable residency.

The proceedings of the Hong Kong 47 is presently ongoing - but 31 radical including Ms Mo, Mr Wong and Mr Tai person already pleaded blameworthy and volition beryllium sentenced aft the trial.

Critics accidental the nationalist information instrumentality is being utilized arsenic a instrumentality to crush civilian dissent, but Chinese and Hong Kong authorities support it is needed to curb unrest.