𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Tories hit out at Sir Keir Starmer after he published the evidence submitted by the Government in the China spy case. Kemi Badenoch’s party said the publication of witness statements “falls short” of what they had requested and urged the “China files” to be published in full.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “It is disappointing that it has taken significant pressure from Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative team to force this weak Prime Minister to publish this limited information – which falls short of what was requested.

“What has already been published shows the extent of the threat that China poses to the UK, and makes it all the more shocking that the Prime Minister knew of the imminent collapse of this trial, but did nothing to stop it.

“There are still many unanswered questions about this scandal – from the role of the National Security Adviser, to the potential involvement or knowledge of ministers, and ultimately whether the Prime Minister or the Security Minister has misled the House of Commons throughout this process.

“We will consider this disclosure. But it is clear that this is just the start, and the China files must now be published in full and without delay. Until that time the stench of scandal will hang around this Government.”

The Conservatives have been pressing Labour over its handling of the collapsed trial of Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry. Both men, who deny wrongdoing, had been accused of passing secrets to China, but charges against them were dropped last month.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the case fell apart because the Government’s evidence did not show that China represented a threat to national security at the time of the alleged offences.

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