Keir Starmer publishes China spy scandal witness statements | Politics | News
Sir Keir Starmer has released evidence presented by the Government as part of the collapsed Chinese spy trial as he battles allegations of a Conservative Party “cover-up”. The prime minister released deputy national security adviser Matt Collins’ testimony from three witnesses.
The case was dropped because the Crown Prosecution Service did not think the evidence showed China was a threat to national security. In his witness statement, Mr Collins said Chinese intelligence services were carrying out “large-scale espionage” operations against Britain. But he added that the Government was committed to building a “positive relationship” with Beijing.
In his final witness statement, Mr Collins said: “Chinese intelligence services are extremely capable and are carrying out large-scale espionage operations against the UK to advance the interests of the Chinese state and to undermine the interests and security of the UK.
“China’s espionage operations threaten the UK’s economic prosperity, resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions.”
But in the concluding paragraph of his latest statement he said: “However, it is important for me to emphasize that the UK Government is committed to maintaining a positive relationship with China to strengthen understanding, cooperation and stability.
“The government’s position is that we will cooperate where we can, compete where we need and challenge where we must, including on national security issues.”
Sir Keir announced at PMQs that the Government would publish statements made by Mr Collins as part of the case.
The Conservative Party is putting pressure on ministers over the collapsed case of former parliamentary inquiry Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry.
Both men, who have denied wrongdoing, had been accused of passing secrets to China, but the charges against them were dropped last month.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “It is disappointing that Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative team took significant pressure to force this weak Prime Minister to publish this limited information that fell short of what was requested.
“What has already been published shows the extent of the threat China poses to the UK and makes it all the more shocking that the Prime Minister knew this case would soon collapse but did nothing to stop it.
“There are many unanswered questions about this scandal, from the role of the national security adviser, to the potential involvement or knowledge of Ministers, and ultimately whether the Prime Minister or Security Minister misled the House of Commons throughout this process.
“We will take this statement into consideration. But it is clear that this is only the beginning and the China files must now be published in full and without delay. Until then the smell of scandal will hang around this Government.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of being “evasive” and “too weak to stand up to China” during PMQs.
Ms Badenoch said Sir Keir’s approach to the case “reeked of a cover-up”.
But Sir Keir insisted that “substantial” evidence was presented by the Conservatives and that additional submissions to the CPS subsequently reflected the Tory leadership’s position.
No 10 said Sir Keir was told the case would be dropped just days before the CPS announced it.
He told MPs: “I am deeply disappointed with the outcome and we have asked for charges to be brought.”
