Author: News Desk

Keir Starmer defends UK engagement with China amid Prince Andrew revelations Keir Starmer has defended his government’s greater openness towards Beijing following revelations about an alleged Chinese spy who forged a close relationship with Prince Andrew, saying it was “important to engage”. Questioned for the first time about the case, amid calls from some MPs to change his approach on China, the prime minister refused to comment directly on Andrew or the royals, but said he was pleased with what he called progress on ties with Beijing. As part of the partial reset of relations with Beijing, Starmer met China’s…

Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – has been named as the alleged Chinese spy who was close friends with Prince Andrew. PM Keir Starmer has played down allegations of a Chinese network of spies operating across Britain, and Andrew has been uninvited from royal events this Christmas.

Yang also had contact with two former British prime ministers – Theresa May and David Cameron. Allegations of spying have led for calls for Britain to reassess how it manages its relationship with Beijing.

Lucy Letby’s defence team is to seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that the chief medical witness for the prosecution changed his mind about how some of the babies in her case died. Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald said he would take the ‘exceptional, but necessary, decision’ to apply to reopen her case.

Outbreaks of rain soon spreading into Northern Ireland and Scotland, then spreading erratically eastwards into Wales and western England during the afternoon. Largely dry but often cloudy elsewhere. Feeling mild, but winds strengthening throughout the day, especially in the west. Tonight: A windy night, with outbreaks of rain spreading across all parts. Heaviest and most persistent rain across western hills, with some clearer albeit showery conditions arriving into the northwest later.

Summary of Western Mail Newspaper Western Mail front page this morning – summarisedLawyers for Lucy Letby have stated that fresh evidence has emerged that “significantly undermines” her convictions. The 34-year-old killer nurse was handed 15 whole-life orders after being convicted for the murder of seven babies and for attempting to take the lives of seven more when she worked as a neo-natal nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital.Letby has consistently maintained her innocence. In a press conference on Monday morning, barrister Mark McDonald said Letby’s defence team now intends to seek the Court of Appeal’s permission to reopen her appeal…

Summary of The National Newspaper The National front page this morning – summarisedSCOTTISH actor Martin Compston has said he believes the Scottish independence movement is in need of a “refresh” – and he’s optimistic youngsters will help pave the way forward. Compston, known for his turns in hit shows like Line of Duty, spoke with The National ahead of the release of the second season of Amazon Prime’s The Rig. “I still believe in it (independence), I’ve made a conscious decision, I think especially online and stuff now people are just so f****** angry and shouting at each other and…

Prince Andrew’s ties to an alleged Chinese spy named yesterday as Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – trends across the UK media today. 

The naming of the alleged Chinese spy makes the front pages – as does his friend Prince Andrew, who’s continuing to feel the heat over his connections to the businessman that MI5 believe is a security threat to Britain.

There is coverage of several ongoing domestic stories including calls from Lucy Letby’s lawyers for a review of her murder conviction after a key witness ‘changed his mind.’ There’s also a light splattering of Brexit and budget stories on the front pages.

Several suspected mass graves were reported to have been unearthed around Damascus in recent days [Getty]A mass grave containing the bodies of women and children has been unearthed near a military headquarters in southern Syria, a rights activist told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on Monday, as similar sites were reported discovered near the country’s capital. Fifteen bodies—among them women, children and opponents of the Assad regime—were found buried near Izraa, a town in Daraa province, some of them dating back more than a decade, Asim al-Zoubi told the news outlet. It is that thought that there are other graves in the area…