Sir Keir Starmer has said he has “full confidence” in national security adviser Jonathan Powell following the collapse of the China spy trial.
The prime minister said the senior civil servant is doing an “excellent job”, amid questions over whether he played a role in the case being abandoned.
Christopher Cash, 30, a former parliamentary researcher, and teacher Christopher Berry, 33, were accused of spying for China – a charge they denied – but weeks before their trial was due to begin, it was suddenly dropped.
The director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, has blamed ministers for failing to provide evidence that would support the assertion that China represented a threat to national security, leading to accusations of a cover-up from the Tories.
However, Downing Street blamed the Conservatives for failing to classify China as a threat while in office – when the charges were brought against the pair – and for failing to update the “archaic” Official Secrets Act.
Asked today if he supported Mr Powell, Sir Keir told broadcasters: “He’s doing an excellent job.
“You heard what Steve Witkoff said about him today in relation to the role he’s played behind the scenes [in Gaza]. So of course, I’ve got full confidence in him.”
Mr Witkoff, the US’s Middle East envoy, this morning lauded “the incredible input and tireless efforts” of Mr Powell in helping to bring about a ceasefire. Sir Keir was speaking from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, where world leaders have gathered for the Gaza peace summit.
The dropped trial has sparked a political row, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accusing the government of deliberately collapsing the case in order to avoid angering China and losing investment into the UK – something ministers have strenuously denied.
Security minister Dan Jarvis accused her of spreading “baseless smears” in a statement setting out the government’s position in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, as MPs returned to parliament…
