Judge quits media freedom panel over Hong Kong case

A British judge who was condemned for upholding the conviction of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong has quit a top media freedom panel.

- ALEXANDER BUTLER

David Neuberger, who is paid £40,000 to sit as an overseas non-permanent judge on Hong Kong’s top court, has withdrawn as chair of the high-level panel of legal experts that advises the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) advocacy group, an international NGO.

His resignation comes just days after voting to uphold a 14-month jail sentence for 76-year-old Beijing critic Mr Lai, who is a British citizen.

Lord Neuberger said it was “undesirable” that his work as an overseas judge in Hong Kong would distract from the mission of the MFC – which includes 51 countries – and resigned in a letter released yesterday.

In the letter, Lord Neuberger said: “I have now concluded that I should go now, because it is undesirable that focus on my position as a non-permanent Judge in Hong Kong should take away, or distract, from the critical and impactful work of the High Level Panel.”

“It has been an enormous privilege and pleasure to work with so many intelligent, committed, and interesting people on such an important cause.”