11 h. ago Did British 'spy' wanted by the FBI for smuggling advanced weaponry flee to China in a private jet?

The pair were arrested at Belgrade's Hyatt Regency Hotel in April - hours before they were about to catch a flight to Beijing - and were detained in prison at the orders of a Serbian judge.

Events

35 h. ago Cut energy bills by ditching Miliband's renewables subsidies rather than dropping VAT, Green pressure group tells Reeves, as Tories launch new broadside against Ed's Net Zero drive

The Green Alliance think tank has told the Chancellor that measures including scrapping renewables subsidies could reduce the average household fuel bill by £178 a year by 2030.

Events

62 h. ago Sir Keir Starmer backs 'stonewalling' deputy David Lammy after prisoner release errors

David Lammy said a man was mistakenly released before new checks were implemented, although he told the Commons those checks were effective immediately, two days before the release.

Events

63 h. ago Lammy speaking to ‘best of his knowledge’ on prisoner release error – Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer said his deputy could ‘speak for himself’ on questions around whether a prisoner was wrongfully freed before new checks were imposed.

Events

3 d. ago Second accidental release of prisoner ‘utterly unacceptable’, No 10 says, as Lammy blames system left by Tories – UK politics live

Lammy, standing in for Keir Starmer, avoided answering questions on the mistaken release during PMQsDavid Lammy starts by saying the PM is in Brazil.He says the thoughts of all MPs are still with the victims of the appalling attacks in Huntingdon and Peterborough, where, he says, he was at school for seven years. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Huge error as new prisoner released by mistake as Starmer issues statement

Police have launched a manhunt to track down the man

Events

3 d. ago Second asylum seeker inadvertently released from jail, MPs told, after Lammy dodges questions at PMQs – UK politics live

Lammy, standing in for Keir Starmer, avoided answering questions on the mistaken release during PMQsDavid Lammy starts by saying the PM is in Brazil.He says the thoughts of all MPs are still with the victims of the appalling attacks in Huntingdon and Peterborough, where, he says, he was at school for seven years. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Hoyle says he cannot bring private prosecution in China spy case

The Commons Speaker suggested he would ‘support’ others if they pursued private action.

Politics

8 d. ago Man freed from prison term for knife offences under Keir Starmer's early release scheme is charged with murder

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was released early from jail for knife crimes and has now been charged with murder following an incident in London.

Events

1 week ago Defence lawyers would have used Tories’ statements to dismiss China spy case, attorney general says

Richard Hermer says failure by Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly to describe China as a threat would have been seized on in trialDefence lawyers would have used Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly’s statements about China to dismiss a case against two men charged with spying for Beijing, the attorney general has argued.Richard Hermer told parliament that “there would have been plenty of reference” by Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry’s lawyers to Conservative ministers’ policy positions had the trial gone ahead. Continue reading...

Society

1 week ago Attorney general hits out at ‘disgraceful allegations’ made towards PM in China spy case

Lord Hermer also said that he is ‘extremely concerned’ about the impact the case may have had about the public’s trust in the UK’s national security and criminal justice systems

Events

1 week ago Lord Hermer condemns 'disgraceful allegations' that Starmer and Jonathan Powell collapsed China spy case

Lord Richard Hermer said he had been both disappointed and surprised that the trial of Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry had collapsed.

Politics

1 week ago Hermer blames collapse of China spy case on law ‘not fit for purpose’

The Attorney General said prosecutors had been working in ‘good faith’ to secure a conviction.

Politics

1 week ago Vietnam leader’s UK visit overshadowed by ‘interrogation’ of BBC journalist

British government being urged by friends of journalist to pressure Vietnam's top leader, who is scheduled to meet Sir Keir Starmer, to secure her release

Politics

1 week ago Refusal to dub China a threat was ‘total roadblock’ to spying case, says lead barrister

The director of public prosecutions said the failure to describe China as an active threat to national security was ‘fatal’ to the case

Events

1 week ago China spy case evidence was not strong enough for trial, says chief prosecutor

Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, insisted the failure of the case was not ‘a question of blame’.

Events

2 w. ago Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer releases statement on case of migrant sex offender

The Prime Minister has released a statement after Met Police put out an update this morning, October 26

Politics

2 w. ago Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu manhunt live: Met police take over search for sex offender after London sighting

Commander James Conway says finding Kebatu, whose arrest sparked riots over the summer, is a ‘top priority’On Friday, Sir Keir Starmer called the accidental release of Hadush Kebatu “totally unacceptable”, adding:I am appalled that it has happened and it’s being investigated.The police are working urgently to track him down, and my Government is supporting them This man must be caught and deported for his crimes.Let us be clear, we inherited a collapsing prison system in which the last government was releasing people early and which our prisons were overflowing.And, indeed, we have a sentencing bill in parliament seeking to address that issue, and we have stabilised the system. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Epping manhunt latest: Buck stops with Starmer over jailed asylum seeker released in error, says MP

Hadush Kebatu was last seen in London after he was mistakenly released from prison on Friday

Events

2 w. ago Key witness removed word ‘enemy’ from evidence over China spy case as spotlight turns on Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak was the only politician to be sent the final draft of Collins’ statement, according to letter from national security adviser

Politics