The head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is facing intense scrutiny after revelations emerged about his attendance at a Downing Street meeting with representatives from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, a company with deep ties to Beijing's security apparatus.
Exclusive Downing Street Access
According to newly obtained documents, Nick Price, the CPS Director of Public Prosecutions, was among the guests at a high-profile reception hosted at No 10 last autumn. The event brought together senior government figures and representatives from Huawei Technologies, a company that has been at the centre of international security concerns due to its alleged connections to the Chinese Communist Party.
The timing raises significant questions about propriety and national security protocols, particularly given Huawei's controversial status in UK telecommunications infrastructure decisions.
Labour's China Policy Under Microscope
The revelation places Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in a politically delicate position. As the head of the CPS, Mr Price reports directly to the Attorney General, who maintains close operational ties with Sir Keir's office. This connection has prompted concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the Labour leadership's stance on China-related security matters.
"This isn't just about one meeting," a Whitehall source commented. "It's about the pattern of engagement with companies that multiple security agencies have flagged as potential risks to national infrastructure."
Security Implications
The meeting occurred despite ongoing security concerns about Huawei's role in UK telecommunications:
- Multiple Western intelligence agencies have warned about potential security risks associated with Huawei equipment
- The UK government has previously imposed restrictions on Huawei's involvement in critical national infrastructure
- Security experts have repeatedly highlighted the company's obligations under Chinese national security laws
The CPS has confirmed Mr Price's attendance but maintains the event was purely social in nature. A spokesperson stated: "As is usual for civil servants, the DPP attends a range of events to engage with different sectors."
Political Fallout
Opposition MPs have seized on the revelation, demanding greater transparency about the nature of discussions and the guest list. Conservative backbenchers have called for a full investigation into whether appropriate protocols were followed regarding engagement with companies of significant security concern.
The incident comes at a sensitive time for UK-China relations, with the government attempting to balance economic interests with growing security apprehensions about Chinese technological influence.
