Conservatives have accused Starmer’s Labour government of deliberately collapsing the espionage trial of two Britons to avoid upsetting China.

The CPS dropped espionage charges against two Britons after involvement of Jonathan Powell

Jonathan Powell is reported to have made clear that the Government would classify Beijing as a 'challenge' rather than an 'enemy' of the UK in evidence for the case.

Downing Street says the CPS decision to drop charges was made "entirely independently of government".

Conservatives have accused Starmer’s Labour government of deliberately collapsing the espionage trial of two Britons to avoid upsetting China.