With each passing day, this Labour Government’s approach to the threat posed by China becomes more confusing. The collapse of a case against two alleged spies due to the Government’s unwillingness to provide evidence describing Beijing as a national security threat raised serious questions about the process behind the decision, and the extent to which security was being endangered in the hope of promoting trade links.

This was cast into sharp relief yesterday when Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that China “poses threats to UK national security”, and that she had wanted to see the case prosecuted. If senior ministers are willing to describe China as a threat, there would seem to be little diplomatic benefit in withholding potentially crucial evidence.

It has now emerged that Jonathan Powell, Sir Keir Starmer’s national security adviser, suppressed the publication of a report into Chinese spying after the Treasury expressed concerns that it could damage trade and investment links. 

This mess must be unravelled and a full explanation given. The public deserves to know why these decisions were made, how they were made, and who was responsible. 

Parliament should fulfil its constitutional duty, hold the executive to account, and haul Mr Powell, and the other relevant decision-makers, in front of MPs in order to face cross-examination. To do otherwise would be an abrogation of responsibility.