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Sir Keir defended his government’s China policy amid allegations a Chinese spy was working at the heart of Britain
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Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he is concerned about the risk China poses to the UK amid allegations a Chinese spy was operating at the heart of Britain.
The prime minister did not comment on the claim the Chinese businessman, codenamed H6, was a close confidant of Prince Andrew.
Asked about the case which became public on Friday, Sir Keir said: “Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.
“Our approach is one of engagement, of co-operating where we need to co-operate, particularly on issues like climate change.
[We will] challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues like human rights and to compete when it comes to trade. That’s the strategic approach that we have set out as a UK Government.”
The alleged spy reportedly met David Cameron in Downing Street and Theresa May at a black-tie reception – and has been barred from the UK because he was likely to pose a threat to national security.
MPs are considering using parliamentary privilege – which provides certain legal immunities for MPs – to circumvent a court order providing H6 anonymity.
The businessman has been banned from Britain on security grounds but is understood to have visited Buckingham Palace and met two former Prime Ministers
Prince Andrew has been pictured driving from Royal Lodge in Windsor after it emerged his close confidant was an alleged Chinese spy.
The businessman, who liked to divide his time between China and UK – calling it his “second home” – had previously been granted indefinite leave to remain in Britain where he established himself as a close confidant of the Duke of York.
He is said to have used his high profile connection to secure invitations to Buckingham Palace and other royal residences, with fresh reports now alleging he also met two former prime ministers.
Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he is concerned about the risk China poses to the UK amid allegations a Chinese spy was operating at the heart of Britain.
The prime minister did not comment on the claim the Chinese businessman, codenamed H6, was a close confidant of Prince Andrew.
Asked about the case which became public on Friday, Sir Keir said: “Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.
“Our approach is one of engagement, of co-operating where we need to co-operate, particularly on issues like climate change.
[We will] challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues like human rights and to compete when it comes to trade. That’s the strategic approach that we have set out as a UK Government.”
A minister admitted it is a “concern” that an alleged Chinese spy was able to “slip through the net” to form links at the heart of the British establishment.
The suspect, known only as H6, is said to have become a “close” confidant of the Duke of York and has also been pictured with senior politicians including David Cameron and Theresa May.
MPs could seek to use parliamentary privilege to reveal H6’s identity, but government minister Jim McMahon said the legal protection offered to parliamentarians should be used with caution.
Local government minister Mr McMahon told Times Radio: “It’s a concern for all of us that work in Parliament, that the trust has been breached in the way that it has, and that somebody has been found to slip through the net.
“That clearly is a concern. Whether or not that requires somebody being named in Parliament under parliamentary privilege, I think, is a separate matter.”
H6, a 50-year-old Chinese national, is at the heart of a scandal around the country’s influence on the UK
The businessman has been banned from Britain on security grounds but is understood to have visited Buckingham Palace and met two former Prime Ministers
China’s espionage network is assiduously preparing the ground – not to strike at the United Kingdom, but to ensure its passivity in the event of war against the United States, writes Michael Sheridan
China’s espionage network is assiduously preparing the ground – not to strike at the United Kingdom, but to ensure its passivity in the event of war against the United States, writes Michael Sheridan
Nigel Farage’s spokesman said he has ‘not taken part in “Behaviour Code Awareness Training” and has no intention of engaging with this woke DEI scheme’
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said there is “nothing wrong” with the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs), which would require individuals to disclose who they are in an arrangement with, what activity they have been directed to undertake, and when the arrangement was made.
Responding to a comment from a Home Office source, who told the Guardian that the Conservatives had not left the scheme in a fit state to be enacted but that it is still the Government’s intention for it come into force, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is nothing wrong with the foreign influence registration scheme.
“‘It’s not fit for purpose’, I don’t believe a word of that, nobody with half a brain will believe a word of that. The reality is, it’s an excuse not to upset China.
“We are now seen, I think, by our five eyes security partners, as the soft underbelly of that alliance and that’s a real worry.”
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