Why the UK Government Refuses to Describe China as a Threat #shorts

Righteous anger after the collapse of the China spy trial is everywhere. Sir Keir Starmer is furious with the Tories for “impugning” the reputation of public servants and “playing games” on an issue of national security.

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservatives, is indignant and maintains that the government interfered in a criminal trial. Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, said he is frustrated by the failure to prosecute the two men accused of spying. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the Commons, believes China has been given a licence to spy on parliament.

Senior MPs are livid with Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions (DPP), and baffled by the decision to drop the case. Parkinson has vented his anger with the government for failing to meet his requests for evidence.

China has gone on the offensive, accusing the government of “pure fabrication and malicious slander”. It went as far as warning Starmer that he risks “undermining” UK-China relations, which puts the prime minister in a particularly difficult spot given that he is planning to travel to Beijing next year.

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#uk #china #thestateofit #podcast