UK Government Publishes Witness Statements in Dropped Chinese Spy Case

8 HOURS AGO·UPDATED 8 HOURS AGO

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Above: 10 Downing Street on Oct. 10, 2024 in London, England. Image copyright: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

Labour has acted responsibly and transparently in publishing these witness statements. Responsibility over this matter lies with the previous government's weak policy approach to Beijing, while it is also up to the CPS to explain why it decided the evidence provided sat marginally below its threshold to prosecute.

New Statesman X

Opposition narrative

Collins's witness statements clearly shows a consistent description of China as a multi-faceted security threat. Any attempt, therefore, to blame a sudden change in direction by the CPS on Collins's allegedly siloed decision-making makes no sense at all. All evidence leads towards a clear cover-up by the government of a ploy to appease Beijing.

Daily Mail The Spectator Australia X

Pro-China narrative

Infighting at the center of Westminster only exposes the hopeless ineptitude of those who seek to push baseless conspiracies surrounding China's role in the U.K. The case could not continue as, plainly, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. Spreading lies about Beijing only undermines the possibility of a prosperous future between these two nations.

China Daily People's Daily