Several former colleagues of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai at the Apple Daily newspaper reacted with dismay at his national security conviction, fearing Lai and other former staffers may be given a heavy sentence but saying he remains an inspiration.

Hours after Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy newspaper owner in Hong Kong, was found guilty on sedition charges, his daughter told reporters she hopes international pressure can spare her father.

Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, said that Mr Lai had been languishing in prison for over 1,800 days, mostly in solitary confinement, for “refusing to allow free voices” in the city to be crushed by the Chinese Communist Party.

Five years ago, my father, Jimmy Lai, was a large, robust man. Friends and family knew when they were coming over to our house for dinner that they were in for a feast. Dad loved to share the things he enjoyed, and he very much enjoyed good food. But his time behind bars in solitary confinement is taking its toll on his body.