Keir Starmer publishes China spy scandal witness statements in huge bombshell

Sir Keir Starmer has published the evidence submitted by the Government as part of the collapsed China spy case. The Prime Minister released witness statements from deputy national security adviser Matt Collins this evening as he faced claims of a "cover-up"

It comes amid a row over the case which collapsed last month after prosecutors said the Government's evidence did prove that China represented a threat to national security. In the evidence, Mr Collins said Chinese intelligence services were "highly capable and conduct large scale espionage operations" against the UK but added the Government was "committed to pursuing a positive relationship" with Beijing.

It comes after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of being "evasive" and "too weak to stand up to China" during PMQs.

Mrs Badenoch said Sir Keir's approach to the case "stinks of a cover-up".

The Conservatives have been pressing ministers over their handling of the collapsed trial of Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry.

Both men, who deny wrongdoing, had been accused of passing secrets to China, but charges against them were dropped last month.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the case collapsed because the Government's evidence did not show that China represented a threat to national security at the time of the alleged offences.

But Sir Keir insisted the "substantive" evidence was submitted under the Conservatives and supplementary statements handed to the CPS subsequently reflected the Tory administration's position.

A Conservative spokesman said: "It is disappointing that it has taken significant pressure from Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative team to force this weak Prime Minister to publish this limited information - which falls short of what was requested.

"What has already been published shows the extent of the threat that China poses to the UK, and makes it all the more shocking that the Prime Minister knew of the imminent collapse of this trial, but did nothing to stop it.

"There are still 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 the Security Minister has misled the House of Commons throughout this process.

"We will consider this disclosure. But it is clear that this is just the start, and the China files must now be published in full and without delay. Until that time the stench of scandal will hang around this Government."

No 10 said Sir Keir was told the case was going to be dropped a couple of days before the CPS announced it.

He told MPs: "I'm deeply disappointed by the outcome, we wanted to see prosecutions."

He said Mr Collins had produced an initial witness statement in 2023, supplemented by two further "short statements".

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said he had sought further evidence from the Government on the threat posed by China.

Sir Keir told MPs the case had to be based on the position taken by the Conservative government.

He said the Conservative administration's Integrated Review of 2021 and the refresh of that document in 2023 were "very carefully worded to not describe China as an enemy".

"The deputy national security adviser (DNSA) Matt Collins set out the then-government's position in a substantive witness statement in 2023, which was subsequently supplemented by two further short statements.

"The Cabinet Secretary assures me that the DNSA faithfully set out the policy of the then-Tory government. I know first hand that the DNSA is a civil servant of the utmost integrity."