British QC quits case

Hong Kong: A British prosecutor hired by the Hong Kong Government to lead a case against democracy activists has pulled out after coming under pressure in Britain, city authorities said yesterday.

David Perry QC was due to lead the case against tabloid media magnate Jimmy Lai and several others, including veteran democracy activists.

Hong Kong’s Department of Justice noted ‘‘growing pressure and criticism’’ of Perry in the UK for taking the case, adding that he had ‘‘concerns about such pressures and the exemption of quarantine’’ and ‘‘indicated that the trial should proceed without him’’.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Monday that Perry had handed the Chinese Government a ‘‘PR coup’’ and had behaved in a ‘‘pretty mercenary way’’.