Newslinks for Thursdsay 16th of October 2025

Tories ask Starmer and CPS why case against two alleged Chinese spies collapsed after evidence published

“Two men accused of spying for China acted in a way that was dangerous for the “safety” and “interests” of the UK, a senior government official has told prosecutors. In a series of statements given to the spy trial and released on Wednesday, Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, warned that China posed a “threat to our people, prosperity and security”. He outlined the case against Christopher Cash, 30, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, 33, an academic, who were facing charges of spying for China. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the charges against the two men last month. They deny any wrongdoing. Cash said the decision to publish details of the prosecution case when he had not had the opportunity to defend himself left him in an “impossible position”. The government’s statement, however, is likely to intensify questions among MPs about why the prosecution did not go ahead given the extensive details about the allegations.” – The Times

• ‘Starmer failed to defend our nation’: Anger that Prime Minister knew for days spy case would collapse – but still did nothing – Daily Mail
• ‘Cover up’ Sir Keir Starmer knew Chinese spy trial was poised to collapse but did nothing to stop it, admits No10 – The Sun
• Spy case key witness said UK wanted ‘positive relationship’ with China – Daily Telegraph
• UK government’s spy case testimony spoke of desire for ‘positive’ ties with China – FT
• No.10 dossier contains bombshell evidence ‘revealing how spies passed on secrets to China’ – Daily Mail
• Starmer publishes China spy scandal witness statements in huge bombshell – Daily Express
• Starmer releases China spy trial evidence with adviser labelling Beijing the ‘biggest threat to UK’s economic security’ – The Sun
• Questions for CPS after No 10 publishes key witness statements in China spy row – Guardian
• The questions Starmer must answer over China spy scandal – Daily Telegraph
• No 10 moves to end China spy row – but threat of further fallout lingers – Guardian
• CPS in the spotlight after China spy case evidence released – The Times
• ‘You’re in spy territory now’: How China pair allegedly leaked secrets on Tory leadership race – Daily Telegraph

Editorial

• China spy case fell apart because Government was unwilling to call China an enemy… and it happened on Sir Keir’s watch – The Sun

Comment

• Kemi puts on Columbo act to leave smarmy Starmer squirming – Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph
• Keir Starmer failed to put a lid on the China spy story at PMQs – Isabel Hardman, Spectator
• ‘She’s not a lawyer,’ Starmer snapped at Kemi. In his book, there’s no worse insult – Quentin Letts, Daily Mail
• Why are British aides going on ‘Future Leaders’ trips to China? – Georgia L Gilholy, Spectator
• Jonathan Powell: the trusted aide Starmer is shielding from China spy row – Eleni Courea, Guardian
• Labour are taking us down a path of humiliation – Joseph Dinnage, CapX

Meanwhile….Beijing has stolen state secrets for years claims Dominic Cummings

“China obtained “vast amounts” of classified government information over a period of many years by compromising a network used to transfer data across Whitehall. Dominic Cummings, who served as a senior adviser to Boris Johnson, said that he and the then prime minister were informed about the breach in 2020 but that there had subsequently been a cover-up. He said he was warned at the time that disclosing some specific details of the breach would be a criminal offence. He claimed that the breach included some “Strap” material, which is the government term for the highest level of classified information. The breach, which was confirmed by two other senior Whitehall sources, was said to have been connected to a Chinese-owned company involved in Britain’s critical national infrastructure. Tom Tugendhat, a former Tory security minister, supported Cummings’s account.” – Times

• China stole ‘vast amounts’ of state secrets, says Cummings – Daily Telegraph
• Embassy feud. Foreign Office accused of dragging feet over decision to approve Chinese mega-embassy in London – The Sun
• Chinese stole state secrets from No.10 for years: Catastrophic blunder heaps fresh pressure on Starmer over collapsed spying case – as government releases key documents – Daily Mail

Yesterday

Reeves admits tax rises are coming as she looks to dig herself out of black hole

“Rachel Reeves will need to fill a £22bn hole in the UK public finances at next month’s Budget, according to forecasts from the Institute for Fiscal Studies that increase pressure on the chancellor to raise income tax rather than resorting to a “scrabble bag” of smaller measures. The think-tank said that without new tax increases or spending cuts, borrowing in 2029-2030 could be about £22bn higher than the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast in March.  A weaker growth outlook, partly due to an expected downgrade in the OBR’s outlook for productivity, together with higher government spending because of inflation, would account for £11bn of this shortfall. The reversal of planned cuts to welfare spending would add a further £6bn and the cost of servicing government debt at higher interest rates could add £5bn.“ – FT

• New taxes on the rich will be ‘part of the story’ of Budget, says Reeves as she blames Brexit, Farage and the Tories… anyone but herself – Daily Mail
• Rachel Reeves will raise taxes for the wealthy in next month’s budget – Times
• Rachel Reeves confirms huge tax hikes on wealthy in Budget – Daily Express
• Labour MPs want Reeves to raise taxes – and break her own rules on spending – The i
• Rachel Reeves: Budget may include both tax rises and spending cuts – Times
• Reeves says higher taxes on wealthy ‘part of the story’ for November budget – Guardian
• Rachel Reeves may need to find £42bn for buffer big enough to stop ‘limping’ to next Budget, economists warn – Daily Mail
• NHS begs Rachel Reeves to let it raise billions via private deals – Times

Comment

• Claiming the economy is strong while, at the same time, blaming everyone else for the fact that it manifestly isn’t. No one believes a word she says any more. Rachel Reeves is deluded – Dan Hannan, Daily Mail

Today

Failure to control borders is eroding trust says Home Secretary as she sends border force to the Balkans

“British border security officers have been dispatched to the Balkans for the first time to tackle illegal immigration as talks continue to open migrant “return hubs” in the region. They have been sent to Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to stop migrants using the countries on their way towards the UK. Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, said the western Balkans area was a “major transit route” for illegal migration and she had instructed UK law enforcement to consider “all options” at their disposal to stop the region being exploited by people smugglers.” – Times

• Border security officers sent to Balkans to disrupt people-smuggling networks – Guardian
• Britain failing to control its borders, Shabana Mahmood to warn – The i
• Chilling moment migrant stares ‘spookily’ at asylum hotel worker before ‘stalking her to station & murdering her’ – The Sun

Tory MP calls for grooming gang inquiry to get underway after too many delays

“Furious MPs are accusing PM Sir Keir Starmer of dragging his feet over the national grooming gangs inquiry. They are demanding an urgent update amid fears of a whitewash. Tory MP Katie Lam writes in today’s Sun: “Tens of thousands of victims and perpetrators were covered up. “Not one official, social worker, police officer or politician has been prosecuted.” She hit out four months after the PM caved in to pressure for an inquiry. Labour MP Sarah Champion added: “The hope survivors felt is starting to erode.” The inquiry is yet to even find an expert to head it.” – The Sun

Comment

• National inquiry into rape gangs must be specific and must happen now – we deserve to know horrors covered up by state – Katie Lam, The Sun

Angela Rayner accused of hypocrisy after pocketing £17k payout after losing job

“Disgraced Angela Rayner was accused of “outrageous” hypocrisy after pocketing a £17,000 severance payment. The former Deputy PM quietly took the payment ahead of new rules coming into force on Monday, preventing ex-ministers found guilty of a “serious breach” of the ministerial code from receiving such payouts. Ms Rayner herself had championed the crackdown while in opposition. Yet, after being found by Sir Keir Starmer’s ethics chief to have broken the ministerial code, she still helped herself to the cash. Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly yesterday blasted the move as “outrageous.” The payout should cover any penalty Rayner faces from the taxman for failing to pay the correct stamp duty on her new Brighton flat.” – The Sun

News in Brief

• Is Steve Reed a Nimby in disguise? – Harry Phibbs, CapX
• Migrant integration is about more than fluent English – Jide Ehize, Unherd
• Labour must engage the alternative media, not oppress it – Kate Hoey, The Critic
• Thatcherism shows where Britain went wrong and how it can go right – Robert Colvile, Spectator