Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing renewed scrutiny over his conduct during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions, following revelations about a high-level meeting with China's top diplomat in 2017.
The encounter with Liu Xiaoming, then China's ambassador to the UK, occurred while Starmer was heading the Crown Prosecution Service, raising questions about the blurring of lines between his legal role and political ambitions.
Timing Raises Eyebrows
The meeting took place in October 2017, a period when Starmer was reportedly considering a move into frontline politics. According to sources, the discussion occurred just months before he announced his candidacy for the Labour leadership, adding fuel to concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case has confirmed the existence of records documenting the meeting, though specific details of their conversation remain undisclosed. The revelation comes at a sensitive time for Starmer, who has positioned himself as a leader committed to transparency and propriety in public life.
Political Fallout Intensifies
Conservative MPs have seized upon the news, questioning whether Starmer used his position as head of the CPS to advance his political career. "The British public deserve to know what was discussed and why this meeting took place," one senior Tory MP stated.
The Labour leader's office has defended the meeting as routine, emphasising that engagement with international representatives was part of his responsibilities at the CPS. However, critics argue that meetings with senior political figures from foreign governments fall outside the normal remit of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Broader Implications
This development comes amidst growing concerns about foreign influence in British politics and the propriety of senior officials engaging in potentially political discussions while holding supposedly neutral legal positions.
The timing is particularly awkward for Starmer, who has sought to distance himself from controversies surrounding his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn's approach to international relations, particularly regarding China.
As the story develops, pressure is mounting on the Labour leader to provide a full account of the meeting and clarify whether other similar engagements occurred during his tenure at the CPS.
