No 10 moves to end China spy row – but threat of further fallout lingers

Keir Starmer during PMQs. Media reports suggested the refusal by the government to describe China as a threat had scuppered spying case. Photograph: House of Commons/PA

When Keir Starmer finally read the witness statement from his deputy national security adviser for the trial of two British men accused of spying for China, some of his frustration about the collapse of the case began to dissipate.

His government had been besieged by the Tories for two weeks over its role, being accused of “secretly sabotaging” the trial, “blocking” key witnesses and “hiding behind process”, all to avoid having to tell a court that China was an enemy.