Editorial 17.12.24
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.
The latest Premier League gossip leads the back pages, with scandal at the heart of Man Utd following a line-up leak and assessments of the dire situation Manchester City have found themselves in this season so far.
Chris Yang named as Chinese spy
‘Yang asked the court to lift blackout so be could deny allegations,’ reports Metro.
Metro reports that Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – has been named as the alleged Chinese spy who was close friends with Prince Andrew. The paper notes Yang asked for the court order that kept him anonymous to be lifted so he could deny the allegations against him.
‘Yang says he’s fallen victim to changed political climate,’ notes the FT.
The FT reports on Yang’s denial of being a Chinese spy in which he says he has “fallen victim” to a changed “political climate.” The paper says the case has “reignited debate about the extent to which the UK government should be reviving relations with Beijing”.
‘Govt plans to monitor foreign nationals like Yang going forward,’ reports the i.
The i has a similar take and looks at the allegations against Yang in the context of politics. The paper says the government is planning to allow UK security services to “monitor foreign nationals” like Yang. It means individuals linked to states like China, Russia and Iran will face “fresh scrutiny,” the paper adds.
‘Regulations for the scheme will be decided in the new year,’ adds The Guardian.
The Guardian leads on those plans. The paper looks at the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and highlights comments from the security minister who said the government would lay the regulations for the scheme in the new year. The paper also highlights that no decisions have been made on whether China would be designated as an enhanced risk country.
‘Why is the prime minister still sucking up to Beijing,’ asks the Mail.
The Daily Mail also has a political take asking why the prime minister is still ‘sucking up to Beijing’. The paper says the PM admitted he was concerned about the challenge but “doubled down on his policy of engagement and co-operating with the state.”
‘Yang had links to Andrew’s charity and the prince financially benefitted from it’ says the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph looks closer at the relationship between Yang and Prince Andrew. The paper says Yang’s links to the prince include that he was a founding member of Prince Andrew’s Pitch@Palace China scheme, which, according to the paper, Andrew financially benefitted from.
‘Yang also had contact with at least two prime ministers,’ reports the Times.
The Times says Yang was Andrew’s “chief representative in Beijing” and highlights that the Chinese national had “contact” with at least two prime ministers and “senior business representatives”.
‘Growing network of China spies in Britain,’ reports the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror asks “How many more?” whilst expressing fears over a “growing network of Beijing spooks at large in Britain.” The paper highlights comments from former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith who said “There are many more involved in this kind of espionage. China is very clear on that.”
‘Andrew won’t be joining royals at Christmas events this year,’ reports The Sun.
The Sun reports that Andrew’s latest scandal has seen him uninvited from royal Christmas events. Sources tell the paper that Andrew won’t be joining his relatives at Sandringham this year and will stay in Windsor with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Budget backlash, Lucy Letby
‘Budget is taking its toll on UK economy,’ says the FT.
The FT reports on the chancellor’s Budget saying the increase in business taxes is taking its toll on the UK economy as companies cut back hiring. The paper says it adds to the warnings that the Budget has killed corporate confidence.
‘Letby defence team seek fresh appeal,’ reports the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports 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.
‘Exceptional but necessary decisions,’ quotes The Independent.
The Independent says Lucy Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald said he will take the ‘exceptional, but necessary, decision’ to apply to reopen her case.
‘New evidence will undermine her convictions,’ reports the Express.
The Daily Express says McDonald has delivered a press conference where he claimed fresh evidence will “significantly undermine” her convictions.