Harborough MP Slams Spy Case Handling

Harborough’s MP has criticised the government’s handling of the collapsed case involving two men accused of spying for China.

Conservative Neil O’Brien, who was previously sanctioned by the Chinese government alongside other MPs for speaking out against Beijing, believes he was personally targeted and spied on.

Neil O’Brien MP

The CPS dropped the case last month after deciding the evidence did not show China was a threat to national security.

But witness statements from the UK’s deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins – published late yesterday – are clear that the Chinese are carrying out spying operations against the UK, raising questions for the government and the CPS about why the prosecutions did not go ahead.

A formal inquiry will now take place, following the failed prosecution.

Mr O’Brien says the case raises serious questions about national security and how threats like this are being handled.

The government has blamed the previous Conservative administration who were in charge when Mr Collins sent his first evidence statement, for the collapse of the prosecution.