𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Labour Government is facing intense scrutiny over its role in the collapse of the trial of two alleged spies, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry. They both deny claims that they passed sensitive intelligence on the inner workings of Parliament to the Chinese Communist Party.

Downing Street has branded claims that Prime Minister Sir Keir should have intervened in the case – which collapsed in September – as “frankly absurd”, but Conservatives say it is “shocking that the Prime Minister knew of the imminent collapse of this trial, but did nothing to stop it”.

Parliament has now lauched its own inquiry and the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy is demanding Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, answer questions. Committee member and Labour MP Liam Byrne, a former Cabinet Minister, said: “After days of confusion and contradiction, the public and Parliament deserve straight answers.

“Stephen Parkinson must now come out and explain precisely exactly what happened — in full view, either before parliamentary committees or before the press and preferably both. When it comes to national security we can’t have accountability that’s delegated, and silence will only deepen mistrust.”

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