Starmer under pressure to declare China national security threat, after Beijing's 'spy' in Britain unmasked

16 December 2024, 22:58 | Updated: 16 December 2024, 23:28

Keir Starmer is facing calls to declare China a national security threat
Keir Starmer is facing calls to declare China a national security threat. Picture: Business Council/Alamy

By Kit Heren

Keir Starmer is facing calls to designate China a threat to national security, after a man thought to be a spy for Beijing was unmasked on Monday.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Several senior Conservative MPs, including former leader Iain Duncan Smith, former security minister Tom Tugendhat and shadow home secretary Chris Philp, led calls for the government to declare China a threat immediately.

Britain's intelligence agencies are also said to be pushing for China to fall under the new designation when it comes into force.

But Starmer is said to be resisting, and has maintained that it is "better to engage, to challenge, than to stay aside" from Beijing.

Naming China a threat to national security would mean that anyone who worked for its government would have to register their activities.

Yang Tengbo
Yang Tengbo. Picture: Handout

It would come under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, which is expected to come into force next year. Russia, North Korea and Iran are all expected to be included.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday that China was among the states that pose a "threat" to the UK.

At a press conference in London, Mr Lammy said: "On China, I welcome the court's decision to uphold the Home Office's position on Yang's exclusion.

"And where individuals pose a threat, as you would expect, the UK Government is absolutely committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.

"I raised these issues when I was in Beijing a few weeks ago.

"This case does not exist, sadly, in a vacuum. The UK is in the most complex threat environment that we've seen for a very significant time, including terrorism and states - including China, Iran and Russia - that pose a threat to us.

"Six individuals have been charged under our National Security Act to date. So we recognise the threat, we've raised it with the Chinese government, and we will act wherever we need to."

Both Andrew and his ex-wife Fergie are set to miss this year’s festivities in Norfolk.
Both Andrew and his ex-wife Fergie are set to miss this year’s festivities in Norfolk. Picture: Alamy

The alleged spy identified himself on Monday as Prince Andrew's business partner Yang Tengbo. He was banned from Britain by the Government on national security grounds, having visited Buckingham Palace twice during his stint in the UK.

In a statement following his request to lift the anonymity order, Yang insisted he has done "nothing wrong or unlawful".

He added that the "widespread description of me as a 'spy' is entirely untrue". Andrew has attempted to distance himself from Mr Tengbo after the ties emerged.

Andrew will miss the Royal Family’s Christmas party at Sandringham Estate this year, as he has once again found himself in hot water after being linked to an alleged Chinese spy.

The Duke of York has disappeared from public life since stepping down from official duties, but remains at the heart of the royal family's Christmas Day appearance.

Last Christmas, Andrew walked from Sandringham to church with the other royals - symbolic of his gradual rehabilitation within the monarchy.

Both Andrew and Fergie’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie had already excused themselves, opting instead to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws.

Read more: 'Chinese spy' linked to Prince Andrew named as he insists claims are 'entirely untrue'

Read more: Prince Andrew faces MI5 probe over cash from China amid claims he invited 'spy' to Buckingham Palace

Andrew and Yang Tengbo
Andrew and Yang Tengbo. Picture: Business Council

The King and Queen were reportedly holding out hope that the Duchess of York would persuade Andrew to ‘see sense’ and miss the celebrations as the scandal surrounding his connection to the alleged Chinese spy unfolds.

The Duke is still expected to attend a lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, but won’t be attending the Christmas day celebrations with the Royal Family at Sandringham.

Andrew initially stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - and a few years later paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met.

The major development followed a few days after his disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019 when he said he "did not regret" his friendship with Epstein, who had trafficked Ms Giuffre, and was heavily criticised for failing to show sympathy with the sex offender's victims.

The duke announced at the time he would be "stepping back from public duties for the foreseeable future" and disappeared from a string of high-profile national events involving the monarchy.

Andrew's status as a member of the royal family was left in tatters three years later when the Queen stripped him of his honorary military roles and remaining royal patronage.

The royal family's influence on national life is as much about where and when they are seen as what they say, and the duke has been absent for more than four years from official events.

After attending last year’s Christmas celebrations, it appears his status as a Royal has suffered yet another blow.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

John Tuckett

Labour's new borders watchdog 'to work from home in Finland', 1,200 miles from London

President Donald Trump speaks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump doubles down on pledge to 'take over Gaza', as Netanyahu threatens return to war if Israeli hostages not freed

The Princess of Wales, Patron of Action for Children, during a visit to a mother and baby unit inside HMP Styal in Wilmslow

Kate met with wolf-whistles and cries for 'more funding' as she visits women's prison

Domestic cat balancing on garden fence, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Police hunt mystery cat coiffeur after felines in rural Lincolnshire village return home missing patches of fur

Liam Payne and Maya Henry

Liam Payne 'smoked heroin and sexted fans': Bombshell revelations as ex-fiancee breaks silence on star's death

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has said Yvette Cooper will 'make sure' vetting of Metropolitan Police officers is 'overhauled'

Home secretary will ensure 'overhaul' of Met vetting process following controversial High Court ruling, Phillipson says

Exclusive
James Cleverly

James Cleverly slams 'Orwellian' assisted dying bill as High Court judge sign-off to be scrapped

The Church of England's governing body has voted against a fully independent safeguarding body

Church of England vote 'a punch in the gut for victims' as Synod rejects independent safeguarding

Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne have been suspended

Eleven Labour councillors suspended for being part of offensive WhatsApp group after two MPs also punished

A major travel agent has urged families to go on holiday during Easter rather than the summer

Save thousands by going on holiday at Easter instead of summer, British families told

Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to tear up the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu’s ultimatum to Hamas: Return hostages by Saturday deadline or ceasefire gives way to 'intense fighting'

Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney were in attendance at Denis Law's funeral

Stars pay final respects to Denis Law as Manchester United legend laid to rest

Strangers bar is to reopen following spiking allegation

MPs bar to reopen with extra security after spiking claims

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Post-mortem results reveal fatal injuries of British couple found dead at home in rural French village

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

The Huszti sisters

Bodies recovered from river in Scotland confirmed as missing sisters