The son of jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has called for an urgent meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying he was "desperate" as his father's defence drew to a close in a high-profile trial.

The national security trial of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai is expected to hear closing arguments in late July, with proceedings now adjourned for both parties to prepare for their submissions.

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai finished testifying in court on Thursday in a landmark national security trial where he stands accused of colluding with foreign forces and sedition.

A Beijing official overseeing national security in Hong Kong has dismissed calls from foreign groups to pardon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, questioning the need to do so as the former media boss is not “a certain president’s son”.

Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai told an American think tank in 2019 that the US should use its moral authority, which was a “vital weapon” that China lacked, his national security trial has heard.