4 h. ago Starmer praises official who submitted evidence in collapsed China spy case

The Prime Minister has not seen the witness statement provided to the Crown Prosecution Service by deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins.

Politics

12 h. ago ‘Did two Brits spy for China?’ is one question. ‘Can any UK PM really stand up to China?’ is an even bigger one | Gaby Hinsliff

It’s Keir Starmer’s turn to muddle through a problem that none of his predecessors solved: can his cash-poor nation afford to offend a superpower? It has all the makings of a gripping spy novel.Two young men accused of passing secrets to China, who vigorously protest their innocence, are swept up in a swirling political intrigue with a shadowy semi-mythical figure (in the shape of veteran Downing Street national security adviser Jonathan Powell) at its heart. Yet the story dominating domestic headlines as MPs returned from recess this week is not fiction, or at least not entirely.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Labour accused of making deputy national security adviser 'scapegoat' over collapse of China spying trial

Labour have blamed Jonathan Powell's deputy for the controversial collapse of the Chinese spies case.

Events

22 h. ago Ministers say civil servant made evidence decisions in failed China spy case

Deputy national security adviser Matt Collins named as being personally responsible for providing witness statements

Politics

25 h. ago Starmer aide discussed potential Beijing fallout of China spy case

Number 10 insists national security adviser Jonathan Powell played no part in decision to drop prosecution

Politics

42 h. ago Fury as Bridget Phillipson says CPS failed to properly prosecute China spy scandal and insists security chief has Starmer's full backing

The Education Secretary also claimed Keir Starmer has 'full confidence' in his beleaguered national security adviser Jonathan Powell.

Events

54 h. ago PM’s national security adviser ‘played no role in collapse of China spy case’

Jonathan Powell did not take part in discussions about the ‘substance or the evidence’ of the case, Bridget Phillipson said.

Events

65 h. ago Starmer national security adviser accused of blocking spy case is senior member of shadowy lobby club China 'uses to groom UK elite'

Jonathan Powell was at the heart of the Chinese spying row was a member of a secretive network used by Beijing to cultivate Britain's elites.

Events

68 h. ago Starmer national security adviser accused of blocking spy case is senior member of shadowy lobby club China 'uses to groom UK elite' 

Jonathan Powell was at the heart of the Chinese spying row was a member of a secretive network used by Beijing to cultivate Britain's elites.

Events

3 d. ago Trump’s former adviser turned critic John Bolton expected to be criminally charged as early as next week: report

Trump’s former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s home was raided by the FBI in August

Politics

3 d. ago Memo that government officials tried to bury shows Jeffrey Epstein met Sir Tony Blair in Downing Street... and Lord Mandelson set it up

The BBC reported that the meeting was arranged after Lord Mandelson sent an email to Jonathan Powell, who was Sir Tony's chief of staff and is now national security adviser.

Politics

3 d. ago China mega embassy decision ‘set to be delayed again’ amid spy case row

Sir Keir Starmer’s government has faced backlash following the collapse of a trial for alleged Chinese spies

Politics

4 d. ago Man convicted of 38 paedophile offences revealed as police informer who spied on UK activists

Trial of Nick Gratwick, 68, who schemed to rape children as young as six, exposes previous role among green protestersA man who schemed to rape children as young as six was revealed at his trial to have been a police informer who spied on environmental activists.Nick Gratwick, 68, was found guilty on Friday of 38 “abhorrent” paedophile offences, including plans over the last two years to pay to rape or sexually assault children in the UK and abroad. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago National security adviser accused of torpedoing China spy case DID back charges, so why did he change his mind?

Matthew Collins initially provided an assessment for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in support of the espionage case against parliamentary aide Chris Cash and teacher pal Chris Berry.

Events

4 d. ago National security adviser accused of torpedoing China spy case DID sign off on charges, so why did he change his mind?

Matthew Collins initially provided an assessment for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in support of the espionage case against parliamentary aide Chris Cash and teacher pal Chris Berry.

Events

5 d. ago Former cabinet secretary ‘puzzled’ by China spy case collapse amid fresh questions over Starmer’s explanation

The former national security adviser and cabinet secretary said ‘of course’ China is a national security threat to Britain

Politics

6 d. ago China given a free pass to spy on Britain: DPP confirm spy case was dropped because Starmer's advisers refused to call Beijing an 'enemy'

This country's most senior prosecutor sensationally blamed Labour's national security advisers yesterday for the failure of a case against two men accused of spying for Beijing.

Politics

6 d. ago Carte blanche for China to spy on Britain: Espionage case collapsed after Government advisers refused to brand Beijing a national security threat, CPS chief reveals

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson revealed that the China spy case collapsed after the Government's national security adviser refused to provide crucial evidence.

Events

8 d. ago ANDREW PIERCE: Starmer's security chief Jonathan Powell is a shadowy figure with more influence than any minister

Buried in the depths of No 10, on the desk of national security adviser Jonathan Powell, sits a special phone for secure communications with his White House counterpart, writes ANDREW PIERCE.

Politics

9 d. ago Starmer's national security chief Jonathan Powell 'must face MPs to explain collapse of China spying trial' amid claims Blairite insisted Beijing would NOT be classed as an 'enemy'

Jonathan Powell is reported to have made clear that the Government would classify Beijing as a 'challenge' rather than an 'enemy' of the UK in evidence for the case.

Events