Members of the Hong Kong Island Federation protest outside the British Consulate General Hong Kong on Jan 12, 2024, against British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's remarks regarding a Jimmy Lai Chee-ying case. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Several groups and residents in Hong Kong on Friday lashed out at the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for interfering in the trial of former media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, staging protests outside the British Consulate General in Hong Kong to voice their dissatisfaction. 

Lai was charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security, along with other charges. Earlier, Sunak described the trial of Lai, which began on Dec 18, a “priority” for his government, describing Lai as “a champion of free speech”.

Lawmaker Ben Chan Han-pan said Hong Kong residents will continue to rally behind the court’s lawful proceedings as the fair trial of Lai conducted by the city’s court has boosted the confidence of the city’s patriots 

Such comments by the British leader drew the wrath of Hong Kong residents, with several groups turning out in big numbers to stage protests outside the British Consulate General in the city.

READ MORE: The West’s stance on Jimmy Lai’s trial needs to reflect reality

Brave Chan Yung, vice-chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, urged the British prime minister to stop harboring Lai as he and his associates pose a threat to national security.

The “unreasonable interference” laid bare the hypocrisy of the British politicians who boast of championing impartial justice in their own country, Chan said.

Such behavior undermines the impartiality of Hong Kong’s Judiciary, and it encourages anti-China troublemakers who are attempting to cause chaos in the city, Chan added.  

According to Chan, implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong shows that those whose actions endanger national security will face legal consequences. 

Lawmaker Holden Chow Ho-ding, another vice-chairman of the DAB, called the politically driven rhetoric of the British leader “unwarranted and interventions in Hong Kong’s courts”.

Chow said the British government’s action smacks of double standards by refusing to recognize Hong Kong’s efforts to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the law.

Lawmaker Ben Chan Han-pan said Hong Kong residents will continue to rally behind the court’s lawful proceedings as the fair trial of Lai conducted by the city’s court has boosted the confidence of the city’s patriots. 

Two more groups, made up of residents, also rallied outside the British Consulate on Friday afternoon to express their opposition to Sunak’s remarks. They stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an integral part of China, and the British government has no authority to meddle in Hong Kong’s judiciary.

Lawmaker Joephy Chan Wing-yan criticized the British government for using Lai’s case to tarnish China’s reputation for its own political ends, despite Hong Kong returning to the motherland a long time ago.

READ MORE: Begging external forces to support Jimmy Lai is in vain

In another strongly worded statement, lawmaker Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan criticized British Foreign Secretary David Cameron for demanding Lai’s release, saying it amounted to a blatant violation of international law and the fundamental principles governing international relations despite renewed calls by the Chinese authorities and the SAR government to stop meddling in China’s internal affairs.