A senior MP entangled in the ongoing China spy scandal plans to call for sanctions against Beijing in response to allegations targeting her, reports BritPanorama.
In what is poised to be a contentious parliamentary debate, Alicia Kearns, the shadow security minister, will accuse Sir Keir Starmer’s government of “failing to come clean” regarding its involvement in the scandal.
This fallout follows the collapse of a trial involving parliamentary researcher Chris Cash, 30, and teacher Christopher Berry, 33, accused of espionage for China. The director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, attributed the lack of evidence to the Labour government’s failure to disclose critical information, thus branding China a national security threat.
Amid mounting pressure, a senior minister is expected to appear in the House of Commons on Monday to address these issues. Kearns, who hired Cash, intends to leverage this opportunity to advocate for stringent new sanctions on the Chinese Communist Party.
She stated, “At the critical moment it looks as though they actively undermined our security services; there’s been zero repercussions for the Chinese Communist Party.” Kearns asserted that the recent events call for a strong response, specifically sanctions against China.
Alicia Kearns demands sanctions against China
For weeks, the government has been under scrutiny for its handling of the case.
Kearns criticized the government for its vague language regarding national security, asserting that the recent revelations indicate a failure to take assertive action against Chinese interference. “It’s painfully obvious that China should be in the Enhanced Tier of the Foreign Interference Scheme,” she remarked.
She called for an end to plans for a mega-embassy in London, arguing it would facilitate increased espionage activities.
Echoing her concerns, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is contemplating a private prosecution concerning the alleged spies and seeking legal advice.
In the aftermath of the trial’s collapse, Kearns implored her colleagues to prioritise national interests and demand accountability from the government.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused the government of deliberately allowing the trial to falter in a bid to maintain favorable relations with Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, for trade benefits.
Writing in a newspaper, Philp insisted that Jonathan Powell, the Prime Minister’s national security adviser, must be held responsible if he was complicit in withholding evidence.
Downing Street has firmly denied any involvement in the trial’s collapse and claimed allegations of evidence suppression are unfounded.
Officials continue to monitor sanctions against China but maintain that speculation on future actions is inappropriate.
Both Cash and Berry have denied the charges against them.
