Witness removes word ‘enemy’ from China spy case as spotlight turns on Sunak

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

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description of China “Enemy” was removed from the final draft of the witness statement. In connection with an espionage case It collapsed in September because it did not reflect government policy at the time.

Draft witness statement provided to Deputy national security Consultant matt collins The word “enemy” was included but they removed it at the end of 2023 period from final draft Because it does not reflect government policy”, according to a letter from MPs published on Friday.

The Conservatives were in power at that time.

The note to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy from Mr Collins and national security adviser Jonathan Powell said a final draft of Collins’ statement was then sent. Prime MinisterRishi Sunak In December 2023.

Sir keir starmer And the Tories have faced questions When the case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry endsand Britain’s relations with Beijing.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is also under pressure to provide clarification. Why was the case dropped?The body dropped the charges, Issued under the Official Secrets ActIn September, a month before the trial against Mr. Cash and Mr. Berry was scheduled to take place.

Both have denied the allegations of espionage China,

Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash both deny spying for China

Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash both deny spying for China ,the countryside,

Prosecutors have blamed insufficient evidence provided by the government that Beijing was a threat to Britain at the time of the alleged crimes.

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According to the letter released on Friday, “A draft statement provided to DNSA included the word ‘enemy’ but they removed the word from the final draft as it did not reflect government policy.”

Two government ministers have been called to hear the matter next week.

The Joint Committee on National Security Strategy has asked Prime MinisterThe UK’s Chief Secretary, Darren Jones, and the Attorney General, Richard Harmer, are to give evidence to their inquiry on 28 October.

Rishi Sunak speaking in the Commons in June this year

Rishi Sunak speaking in the Commons in June this year ,House of Commons,

Earlier this week, a Home Office minister told the Tories to “stop mudslinging” the government over the matter, as he insisted the government had not interfered in the case.

Addressing MPs on Monday, Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: “There is nothing like that Prime Minister Or another minister could have done so at the time, and changed what the law and what the policy was under the previous government between 2021 and 2023.

“Ultimately, closing the case was a completely independent decision by the CPS and they have confirmed that there was no external pressure on them to do so.”

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