Keir Starmer points finger at TORIES after Labour accused of collapsing China spy trial

Speaking during a trade trip to India, Sir Keir said: "We were disappointed that the trial didn't proceed, but the position is very clear that the trial would have had to take place on the basis of the situation as it was at the time under the previous Tory Government.

"Now that's not a political to and fro, that's a matter of law. You have to prosecute people on the basis of the circumstances at the time of the alleged offence.

"So all the focus needs to be on the policy of the Tory Government in place then. That's the only place that the evidence could be focused on. And I think that provides a sort of ray of spotlight into some of the issues that have been swirling around."

The Prime Minister was speaking after China's chief prosecutors blamed the minister for failing to issue key evidence.

The Tories said the Prime Minister needs to explain himself to Parliament.

Critics have pointed to Sir Keir's attempts to build relations with China, refusing to label their Government as an "enemy" or threat.

The Government said China is a "sophisticated and persistent challenge," but Sir Keir explained that the previous Government's views counted in the case because that is what applied when the alleged offences unfolded.

The Tories had not called Xi Jinping's country a threat either.

Sir Keir will face demands for answers about the case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who both denied charges under the Official Secrets Act.

Tory party leader Kemi Badenoch used part of her conference speech to suggest: "Labour deliberately collapsed the trial of two men accused of spying on MPs for China, because the Prime Minister wants to suck up to Beijing."

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Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: "Keir Starmer does need to explain himself to Parliament and to the country."

The allegation was of "people spying at the heart of Government, and we are not willing to say that China is a threat to our national security".

Mr Hollinrake explained: "It's totally wrong and it is a pattern of behaviour for Keir Starmer when we've seen, for example, the Chinese super embassy in the heart of London, which is not in the interest of national security."

He insists that the previous Tory Government had "always said" China was a threat to national security "in some areas".

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns called on ministers to "come clean" about the collapse of the case.

She said: "The Government must come clean - who is responsible for spiking the prosecution?

"Continued stonewalling only invites further concern of concealment or conspiracy."

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller said: "It is shocking that a case against two men accused of acting on China's behalf to acquire secret information from MPs has collapsed because Government ministers and officials have refused to confirm China is a menace."

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