“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
Editorial
Comment
“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
Yesterday
“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
Comment
Today
“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
“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
“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