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<p>The prosecution in Mr Lai's politically motivated trial has sought to highlight
Mr Lai's relationships with foreign nationals; including British nationals. As we
have made clear the naming of any British national in this trial is unacceptable.
None are named as co-conspirators on Mr Lai's charge sheet. In the prosecution's opening
statement British nationals Mr Luke de Pulford and Mr Bill Browder have been referenced
as individuals Mr Lai "conspired with" amongst others. In the same statement,
Mr Benedict Rogers and Mr de Pulford have been referenced as individuals Mr Lai "collaborated
with, gave instructions to and/or relayed or received information among a network
of persons acting as agents and/or intermediaries in particular for the purposes of
requesting sanctions, etc". The judges in the trial have not yet ruled on the
prosecution's claims. The Minister for the Indo-Pacific has met with several of the
individuals and we have made clear our concerns to the Chinese authorities.</p>
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