Key witness cut 'enemy' out of China spy case evidence

The description of China as an “enemy” was removed from the final draft of a witness statement in relation to a spying case that collapsed earlier this month because it did not reflect government policy at the time.

- CAITLIN DOHERTY

Drafts of a witness statement provided to deputy national security adviser (DNSA) Matt Collins in late 2023 “included the term 'enemy' but he removed this term from the final draft as it did not reflect government policy”, according to a letter to MPs published yesterday.

The note to the joint committee on national security strategy – from Mr Collins and national security adviser Jonathan Powell – laid out that a final draft of Mr Collins's statement was sent to then prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Sir Keir Starmer and the Tories have faced questions over the collapse of the case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, and the UK's relationship with Beijing.