3 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

6 d. 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

6 d. 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

6 d. 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

6 d. 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

7 d. 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

8 d. 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

1 week 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

1 week ago China ‘enemy’ reference was removed from spy case evidence ‘to fit Tory policy’

National security adviser Jonathan Powell said Counter Terror Police and the Crown Prosecution Service were aware of the change.

Events

1 week ago Rishi Sunak only politician to see witness statement in China spy case

Statement from security adviser, viewed by then prime minister, did not describe China as enemyRishi Sunak was the only politician to see a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser at the centre of a controversy about the collapse of a case against two British men accused of spying for China.According to letters sent to the joint committee on the national security strategy, the statement from Matthew Collins in December 2023, which was seen by the then prime minister and his advisers, did not describe China as an enemy, another key element of the case. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Foreign Office and Home Office drop demand for security changes at new Chinese mega

EXCLUSIVE: Two Whitehall departments had been requesting that a planning condition be a new ‘hard perimeter’ for part of the controversial new diplomatic complex at Royal Mint Court in Tower Hamlets

Society

1 week ago Government says Attorney General was not involved in collapsed China spy case

Robert Jenrick had asked why Baron Richard Hermer had not provided evidence to stop the case collapsing.

Politics

2 w. ago Hermer and Jones summoned to public hearing on China spy case collapse

The Attorney General and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister have been asked to give evidence to a parliamentary inquiry next Tuesday.

Politics

2 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Speaker Hoyle was still right unchoofed about t'China spy case

What will become of the House of Lords if Nigel Farage 's Reform does well at the next general election?

Politics

2 w. ago Top lawyers rounding on chief prosecutor over China spy case collapse rebuked

A CPS source says legal experts are entitled to offer an opinion ‘based on published documents and media reports’.

Events

2 w. ago Tories told to ‘stop throwing mud’ over collapse of China spy case

Home Office minister Dan Jarvis said the Prime Minister and other ministers were powerless to stop the Crown Prosecution Service shelving the case.

Politics

2 w. ago Lindsay Hoyle hints at security crackdown in wake of China spy case

Commons Speaker has previously expressed his anger at the collapse of the case

Events

2 w. ago Ministers to respond to Commons urgent questions on China spy case and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ban – UK politics live

Home Office minister to respond to UQ from Chris Philp about the China spy case before question on Maccabi Tel Aviv fansThere will be two urgent questions in the Commons this afternoon, followed by a statement. Here is the running order.3.30pm: A Home Office minister will respond to a UQ from Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, about the China spy case.The family of Virginia Giuffre, whose life was destroyed, are angry and aghast. The public across these isles are angry and aghast and they both deserve to know that some MPs share their outrage.So I won’t sit silent. If an act of parliament is required to strip the likes of Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew of their titles then there can be no justification from this Labour government as to why that is not immediately happening.Public funds, police protection and royal privilege have long buffered Prince Andrew from the consequences of his actions. And we’ve paid for all this.I will support any efforts to hold royals to the same ...

Politics

2 w. ago How a Labour manifesto boast led to the collapse of the China spy trial... after a suspect was found with £4,000 in cash in a suitcase as he flew into Heathrow

The Daily Mail has learnt that a single sentence, which appears to have been lifted almost word for word from Labour's 2024 manifesto, led to the China spy case collapsing.

Economics

2 w. ago Prince Andrew met ‘spymaster’ at heart of China spy scandal 'at least three times'

Disgraced Duke of York shook hands with Beijing official Cai Qi

Politics