PM’s national security adviser ‘played no role in collapse of China spy case’

Jonathan Powell became Sir Keir’s political appointee to the position of national security adviser last year (PA) - (PA Archive)

Sir Keir Starmer’s national security adviser played no role in the collapse of a prosecution against two alleged Chinese spies and has the Prime Minister’s full confidence, a Cabinet minister has said.

Jonathan Powell was not involved in discussions about the “substance or the evidence” of the case, Bridget Phillipson said amid mounting scrutiny over the decision to drop the charges.