You’re discussing it over dinner and probably give up after ten minutes. But in essence, what is it all about?
It’s about Christopher Berry and academic Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher. They were charged under the Official Secrets Act 1911 with acting and providing information prejudicial to the safety and interests of the state.
Yet in September, the Director of Public Prosecutions decided to drop the case and not proceed.
We’re told this was because the Deputy National Security Adviser, Matt Collins, a civil servant, wrote a statement suggesting their behaviour did not meet the threshold for prosecution.
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That issue was at the heart of Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday. It was also the focus of the last question posed by Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition, and it may shape the debate over the next week.
On Monday, the Security Minister repeatedly told the House that ministers did not take the decision, and that the Deputy National Security Adviser had full authority.
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So what exactly was the statement given by this civil servant?
Collins said: "It is important for me to emphasise that the UK Government is committed to pursuing a positive relationship with China.
"The Government’s position is that we will cooperate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must."
Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire for the scandal
| X / KEIR STARMERRemarkably, this mirrors almost exactly the Labour manifesto of 2024, which stated: "We will cooperate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must."
So what is going on here? Many argue that this Government, and indeed the British establishment more broadly, has gone soft on China.
But the core question remains: Did the Prime Minister mislead the House?
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