VerbatimParliament, as it happens

National Security: China

Asked by Alex BurghartConservativeAttorney GeneralTabled Answered 17 November 2025UIN 90309

The question

To ask the Solicitor General, with reference to the Oral Statement of 15 September 2025 on Official Secrets Act, whether the Crown Prosecution Service made a request for evidence to be submitted from the Government that the (a) Chinese Government and (b) Chinese Communist Party was an enemy of the UK, in the context of prosecution under Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911.

Answered by Ellie Reeves

While the outcome in this case is of course very disappointing, I am also confident that the National Security Act 2023, which was not in force at the time of the conduct concerned, now provides us with enhanced powers that properly reflect the modern-day threats we face.

There is now a wealth of material and evidence, including from the Attorney General, which has been provided to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy’s inquiry into these matters and which cover the requests for evidence and responses provided.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim