CALLS for the release of a Honk Kong lawmaker on trial in the country whose British husband is currently in intensive care has been backed by Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols.

Ms Nichols was one of 54 parliamentarians who pledged their support by signing a letter addressed to the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly MP, asking for the countries help in assisting Claudio Mo with her release from custody in Hong Kong.

The letter states: ‘‘Given that her husband and her children are UK citizens and Claudia previously held UK citizenship, we believe the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has a special responsibility for her welfare and to champion her release.”

The lawmaker is currently on-trial along with 47 other Hong Kong democrats under the national security law, for their participation in ‘unofficial’ primary elections.

The election was held in July 2020 and drew in approximately 600,000 voters at the time.

Protests have been staged in the country against the trial and the arrests of ‘the 47’ who were detained two years ago.

But members of parliament are asking the UK Foreign Secretary to demand ‘immediate release’ of Claudia Mo in light of her husband and British journalist Philip Bowring’s declining health.

Ms Nichols said: “The ever-tightening hold of the Chinese authorities over Hong Kong has resulted in 47 people including Claudia Mo being arrested and put on trial, all because they stood for election. 

“Not only is this an assault on internationally regarded democratic rights, but many of those detained are British National Overseas Passport holders with links to the UK. Government Ministers need to listen to calls for their release, which have cross-party support.

“This is especially time-critical for Claudia as her husband, British journalist Philip Bowring, is currently in hospital in intensive care.”