To prove the case under the Official Secrets Act, prosecutors would have had to show the defendants were acting for an ‘enemy’

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.

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

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To prove the case under the Official Secrets Act, prosecutors would have had to show the defendants were acting for an ‘enemy’

Prosecutor hinted at lack of backing from Downing Street but legal experts argue prosecution was still possible

Simon Case said intelligence chiefs have described China as a threat for years

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The former national security adviser and cabinet secretary said ‘of course’ China is a national security threat to Britain

The former home secretary, who was in charge of MI5 at the time, said she wanted the case prosecuted and was ‘deeply frustrated’ when it collapsed