Former UK civil service chief calls Xi Jinping a ‘dictator’ over Taiwan threats

Simon Case, who served as the cabinet secretary, said China had sent a clear message to ‘prepare for serious conflict’ in Taiwan. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

The former head of the UK’s civil service has described the Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a “dictator” and said Donald Trump had put “helpful pressure” on Europe to increase defence spending.

Simon Case, who served as the cabinet secretary until December, when he stepped down on health grounds, said China had sent a clear message to “prepare for serious conflict” in Taiwan.