PMQs live: Starmer vows to publish China spy scandal witness statements in clash with Badenoch

Starmer falters as he says he will have to ‘double check’ his facts on China at PMQs

The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Starmer, as we know, is a former lawyer. And he campaigned to become PM by portraying himself as the ‘grown up in the room’.

That is why the PM did not help his case by telling MPs at the Despatch Box at PNQs that he would have to “double check” his facts.

He told MPs: “No minister or special adviser was involved, and I will double check this, Mr Speaker, because it is important, after the charging decision”.

MPs on the Tory benches jeered as the PM said he would have to check his facts.

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:34

Analysis: Kemi Badenoch has had her best PMQs

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

The Tory leader has had a lot of criticism for her performances in PMQs in the past months, but today was properly her strongest one yet.

Having dropped the ball in pursuing Angela Rayner last month, Kemi Badenoch was well prepared today even anticipating an impromptu statement from Sir Keir Starmer.

She hit all the right notes, reminding us all of Starmer appointing Lord Mandelson, “friend of Epstein”, as ambassador to the US, as well as grilling the PM in detail on the China spy case.Starmer looked deeply uncomfortable and even had to resort to cheap shots about the Tory leader.

After a strong conference speech, Ms Badenoch may finally be answering her critics and finally growing into her role as Leader of the Opposition.

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:31

Starmer brands Powell meeting allegation a ‘red herring’ and ‘scurrilous allegation’ by the Conservatives

Sir Keir Starmer has branded the row over when meetings took place in the collapse of the China spy case a “red herring” and accused the Conservatives of making “scurrilous allegations” against Labour.

The prime minister said there were no further submission of any evidence after August 2025, and that a September meeting reported by The Sunday Times is a “red herring”.

The Sunday Times reported allegations that, after a meeting last month, “Jonathan Powell in cahoots with the Treasury had been driving through” a decision not to put forward evidence referring to Beijing as an enemy.

Sir Keir said: “There was no further submission of evidence, one way or another, after any discussion in September. This is a red herring and a completely scurrilous allegation being made by the leader of the opposition.”

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:28

Watch: Government will publish witness statement it submitted as part of China spy case, Starmer says

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:27

Analysis: Keir Starmer is going back to his comfort zone - being a lawyer

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

Keir Starmer is in his happy space when he is being a lawyer and quoting technicalities of the law.

It is always hard to follow but this is a man who made his business looking at legal technicalities in court to win a case.

The problem is that it does not make convincing political arguments especially when he says he needs to “double check” key facts.

It led to the Ms Badenoch making the remark: “What is the point of having a lawyer instead of a leader as Prime Minister” if he can’t protect national security?

It clearly hurt Sir Keir who came back with a cheap retort: “She is neither a lawyer nor a leader.”

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:25

Starmer exposes Tory record on China

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has attempted to dig himself out of a hole on China by pointing to the Opposition's record, reading out quotes from both James Cleverly, the then foreign secretary, and Kemi Badenoch, who was leader of the opposition in the year two people were accused of spying for Beijing.

The PM said: “The then foreign secretary, one month after the arrest, so absolutely the relevant time, gave a speech at Mansion House. It was called ‘our position on China’, setting out the government’s policy. He said in that speech that 'summing up China as a threat in one word would be impossible, impractical and most importantly unwise.'"

He added: "It wasn’t just him. The leader of the opposition was business secretary at the time. In September 2023, the relevant year, the leader of the Opposition said we should certainly not be describing China as a foe."

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:22

Starmer believes witness statement will vindicate him

The Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has said he believes the publication of a witness statement given to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will vindicate Labour over the collapsed China spying case.

The prime minister said deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins’ will be disclosed in full and “they will all be able to read it”.

He is continuing to blame the previous Conservative government for the CPS’ failure to prosecute the case.

As he tried again to draw a line under the row, Sir Keir said: “I am going to disclose it. They will all be able to read it.”

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:20

Analysis: Starmer tries – and fails - to draw a line under China spy row

The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Keir Starmer started PMQs by making a statement on the China spy row – in which he said he had decided to publish the witness statement at the centre of the row over the collapse of the case.He came out fighting, telling the Tory leader Kemi Badenoch that were it not for the former government led by her party ”we would not be where we are”.

But his remarks merely opened the door to more questions.

And with the soon-to-be published witness statement yet to land, the PM failed to draw a line under the issue.

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:13

Tory Brexiteer humiliated in Commons clash over Northern Ireland

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Hillary Benn has hit back at Tory Brexiteer Andrew Rosindell, who said “severedly restricted trade” between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a “disgrace”.

The Northern Ireland secretary pointed to Mr Rosindell’s own record in advocating for Brexit.He said: “I’d just say to those who advocated that we should leave the European Union, this is the consequence of it. Because you had an open border two, two different jurisdictions. How are you going to deal with trade in those circumstances?

“Secondly, the goods are flowing, the goods are moving. If you look at the evidence, the Northern Ireland economy in the second quarter grew by 2 per cent. That is not indicative of a problem.”

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:11

Starmer deals with China spying scandal before he can be asked a question

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

Keir Starmer has used the start of PMQs to make a statement on the China spying scandal knowing that Kemi Badenoch is going to ask repeated questions on it.

With the support of the Speaker he is explaining why the case collapsed and is attempting to pin the blame on the last Tory government because of its policy.

“Had the Conservatives been quicker in updating our legislation this wouldn’t have happened.”

He insists: “No minister or special adviser played any role in this matter.”

Nevertheless he is still under pressure over why key evidence was not handed over.Starmer is now set to publish the witness statements in full to be transparent.

Athena Stavrou15 October 2025 12:10