Starmer says he will publish witness statements from collapsed China spy trial – UK Politics Liv

 Starmer says he will publish witness statements from collapsed China spy trial – UK Politics Live

The Prime Minister says he wants the statements published in full and blames the previous government for the failure of the case

Starmer's opening statement in PMQs on China espionage case

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Here is the opening statement that Keir Starmer gave at the start of PMQs about the China spying scandal.

Can I update home or China spy case? I am extremely disappointed with the outcome. We wanted to see the prosecution. Mr. President, I know how seriously you take these matters. National security will always be the first priority of this government. We will always protect against espionage.

In recent weeks, baseless allegations have been made by the opposition. Let me state the facts.

The relevant period was when these offenses occurred. That was under a Conservative government between 2021 and 2023.

This period was bookended by a 2021 integrated review, beginning the period, and a refresh of that review in 2023, setting that policy.

These statements of government policy were written very carefully so as not to portray China as the enemy.

Instead he said that national security protections have been increased where China poses a threat and that the government of the day would engage with China to leave room for constructive and predictable relations.

The Deputy National Security Adviser [DSNA], Matt Collins, set out the then government's position in a substantive witness statement in 2023, which was later supplemented by two further shorter statements.

The Cabinet Secretary assured me that the DSNA faithfully set out the policy of the then Tory Government.

I know firsthand that the DSNA is a very honest civil servant. And I'm sure people who work with him would agree with this assessment.

Under this government, no minister or special adviser played any role in the provision of evidence.

I cannot say what was the position of the previous government with regard to the involvement of ministers or special advisers. If the Leader of the Opposition knows the answer to that question, and I suspect he does, I invite him to update the House.

Last night the Crown Prosecution Service made clear that, in their view, it is the Government's decision to publish DSNA witness statements.

So I have considered this question carefully this morning. And, after legal advice, I have decided to publish the witness statement here.

Given the given information, we will conduct a short procedure.

But I want to publish the statements of the witnesses in full.

Let me say this; Frankly, if the Conservatives had been quicker to update our law, a review which began in 2015, these individuals could have been prosecuted and we would not be there.

Starmer cleverly blames China for misquoting him

James Cleverley, the Tory former foreign secretary, raised questions of propriety after PMQs, saying he had been misquoted by the Prime Minister.

Referring to what Keir Starmer said about Cleverley's stance on China (see 12.13pm), Cleverley said:

In the statement the Security Minister made earlier this week, and again in response to a question, I have been misquoted.

It has been said that I had said in a speech at the Mansion House that describing China as a threat was impractical and most importantly foolish.

The quote was that it is impossible, impractical and most importantly, unwise to describe China in one word or our policy in one word.

I further said that our policy is, first and foremost, to strengthen our national security wherever Beijing's activities pose a threat to our people or prosperity.

I concluded by saying, and when other objectives are in tension, we will always put our national security first.