Sir Keir Starmer has not reviewed the critical evidence that led to the collapse of the China spy trial. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Starmer was not privy to the witness statement from Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins, which prosecutors deemed insufficient to substantiate claims that Beijing is an “enemy,” resulting in the case being dropped, reports BritPanorama.
The decision to discontinue the prosecution followed a significant lack of evidence, with prosecutors expressing concerns over the credibility of the allegations against the accused spies, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who denied any wrongdoing. This development has ignited a blame game among officials regarding the handling of national security matters.
Ministers are reportedly advocating for the release of the witness statement in a bid for transparency; however, the Crown Prosecution Service is currently blocking this disclosure. Sources indicate that the statement’s withholding is tied to its origin within the previous government’s framework when the alleged offenses occurred, causing a peculiar gap where Starmer has not had access to it.
During a recent Cabinet meeting, Starmer sought to reassure ministers regarding his integrity amid the fallout. He emphasized that the prosecution’s position was informed by the former government’s stance on China’s threat level to the UK, specifically questioning whether China was viewed as an enemy at the time of the alleged offense.
Political Reactions and Accountability
The cancellation of the charges sparked backlash, with Security Minister Dan Jarvis stating that the decision not to disclose evidence claiming China was an enemy was taken solely by Collins and that no ministers were involved. Jarvis acknowledged the challenges posed by China while also noting the potential economic opportunities it presents for the UK.
Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister, criticized Labour’s handling of the situation, asserting that Collins, a civil servant, is being unfairly scapegoated for the collapse of such a critical case. He remarked, “Matthew Collins has served our nation with integrity.”
Former Cabinet minister Michael Gove echoed Tugendhat’s sentiment, questioning the rationale behind attributing sole responsibility to a single civil servant. He expressed concerns over Collins being used as a scapegoat for broader systemic failures.
In the wake of these allegations, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of lacking the fortitude to confront Beijing, highlighting the escalating tensions over national security debates. MI5 Chief Sir Ken McCallum underscored the implications of foreign interference in British democracy, stating, “When foreign states steal information or manipulate our democratic processes, they don’t just damage our security in the short term; they erode the foundations of our sovereignty.”
