SIR Keir Starmer has not seen the critical evidence that led to the collapse of the China spy trial.
Downing Street revealed the PM was not privy to the witness statement by the Deputy National Security adviser Matthew Collins.
Keir Starmer has not seen the critical evidence that led to the collapse of the China spy trial[/caption]
The witness statement was viewed by prosecutors as lacking enough substance that branded Beijing an “enemy”, causing them to drop the case.
Ministers are said to want to release this witness statement in the interests of transparency but are being blocked by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Sir Keir bizarrely has not had sight of the evidence because it related to the previous government when the offence was committed.
But he tried to assure Cabinet Ministers today he had nothing to hide despite mounting questions over the collapse of the trial.
He told Cabinet: “He said the prosecution rested on the position of the previous Government in relation to China, and specifically whether the previous government deemed China an enemy of the United Kingdom, or could be deemed at the time a current threat to national security sufficient for it to be deemed an enemy of the state.”
A blame game erupted after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who denied spying.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the decision not to hand over proof of China being an enemy was taken by Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins and insisted no ministers were involved.
Mr Jarvis admitted China posed “a series of threats” — but also economic opportunities for the UK too.
Tory ex-security minister Tom Tugendhat accused Labour of throwing civil servant Mr Collins under the bus.
He said: “Matthew Collins has served our nation with integrity. Claiming he is the obstacle to a case of such importance is deeply dispiriting.”
Former Cabinet minister Michael Gove added: “Are we really asked to believe a single civil servant is alone responsible? I fear he may be being made a scapegoat.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said PM Sir Keir Starmer does “not have the backbone to stand up to Beijing”.
MI5 boss Sir Ken McCallum told MPs: “When foreign states steal information or manipulate our democratic processes they don’t just damage our security in the short-term, they erode the foundations of our sovereignty.”
