Keir Starmer finally caves to pressure as PM vows to come clean on China spy scandal

The China spy scandal centres around accusations that two men allegedly spied for the Chinese Communist Party in the UK, they deny the claims.

Christopher Cash, an ex-parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, have both maintained their innocence.

The pair were accused of gathering and providing information prejudicial to the safety and interests of the state between December 2021 and February 2023.

Mr Cash and Mr Berry were charged under the Official Secrets Act 1911, but the charges were dropped in September as the CPS said it "couldn't get the evidence" it needed from the Government.

Announcing his decision, Sir Keir told MPs: "After legal advice, I have decided to publish the witness statements.

"Given the information contained, we will conduct a short process, but I want to make clear I intend to publish the witness statements in full."

Taking aim at the Conservatives, Sir Keir stated: "To be clear, had the Conservatives been quicker in updating our legislation, a review that started in 2015, these individuals could have been prosecuted and we would not be where we are without.

"I'm happy to answer any questions on this. This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others in addition to my duties in this House, I should have further such meetings later today."

Hitting back at Sir Keir, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of "more obfuscation" over the China spying case.

She told the Commons: "It concerns us all that the case against two people spying on members of this house has collapsed. It is simply unbelievable.

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"Exactly as I expected, the Prime Minister had to be dragged out at the top of PMQs to give a statement that answers no questions.

"We are talking about the security of this Parliament. He had to be dragged out to repeat only more obfuscation. It is simply unbelievable."

Declaring that the Labour Government are "too weak" to stand up to China, Mrs Badenoch added: "A serious case involving national security has collapsed because this Government is too weak to stand up to China.

"Exactly as I expected, the Prime Minister had to be dragged out at the top of PMQs to give a statement that answers no questions."

Hitting back at Mrs Badenoch's remarks, Sir Keir branded her response a "pathetic spectacle" and accused her of "playing politics with national security".

The Prime Minister said: "The allegations that the first statement and the second statements are different is completely and utterly unfounded.

"Mr Speaker, it is a pathetic spectacle. Instead of taking responsibility for the fact they failed to update the law, 2015 was the review into the legislation.

"They took eight years to change the law. Had they done that more quickly, this case would have proceeded. It was their failure, and they're just slinging mud. Meanwhile we're getting on with renewing our country."