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 as he battles Tory "cover-up" claims. The Prime Minister released three witness statements from deputy national security adviser Matt Collins.

The case was dropped because the Crown Prosecution Service deemed the evidence did not show China was a threat to national security. In a witness statement, Mr Collins said Chinese intelligence services are carrying out "large scale espionage" operations against the UK. But he added that the Government is committed to a "positive relationship" with Beijing.

In his final witness statement, Mr Collins said: "The Chinese intelligence services are highly capable and conduct large scale espionage operations against the UK to advance the Chinese state's interests and harm the interests and security of the UK.

"China's espionage operations threaten the UK's economic prosperity and resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions."

But in the concluding paragraph of his final statement he said: "It is important for me to emphasise, however, that the UK Government is committed to pursuing a positive relationship with China to strengthen understanding, co-operation and stability.

"The Government's position is that we will co-operate where we can; compete where we need to; and challenge where we must, including on issues of national security."

Sir Keir announced at PMQs that the Government would publish the statements made by Mr Collins as part of the case.

The Tories 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.

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."

Conservative 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".

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.

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."