Starmer 'disappointed' China spy trial was dropped

ODN

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says the government is "disappointed" that the trial against two men accused of spying for China were dropped last month, but adds, "the trial would have had to take place on the basis of the situation as it was at the time under the previous Tory government". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

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00:00As you know, we were disappointed that the trial didn't proceed, but the position is

00:06very clear that the trial would have had to take place on the basis of the situation as

00:12it was at the time under the previous Tory government.

00:15So whatever their position was, was the only position that could be presented at trial.

00:21So it wasn't as well this government's position, it was the Tory government before's position.

00:25Now that's not a political to and fro, that's a matter of law.

00:29You have to prosecute people on the basis of the circumstances at the time of the alleged

00:34offence.

00:35And so all the focus needs to be on the policy of the Tory government in place then.

00:39That's the only place that the evidence could be focused on.

00:43And I think that provides a sort of ray of spotlight into some of the issues that have been swirling

00:49around.

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