DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Spy row shows Keir Starmer's naivety over China
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The public naming yesterday of the alleged Chinese spy previously identified only as H6 was a victory for justice, national security and common sense. In the end, Yang Tengbo bowed to the inevitable when he applied voluntarily to the High Court for his anonymity to be lifted. Had he not done so, MPs were queueing up to unmask him under parliamentary privilege.
![[In the end, Yang Tengbo (pictured) bowed to the inevitable when he applied voluntarily to the High Court for his anonymity to be lifted]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/01/93216189-14199833-In_the_end_Yang_Tengbo_pictured_bowed_to_the_inevitable_when_he_-a-63_1734398907210.jpg)
But this is far from the end of this troubling saga. It is hoped that seeing his picture might prompt those who have encountered him to come forward to the security services, so they may build up a better picture of his contacts and activities. If MI5 is correct, he was part of Beijing’s attempt to gather intelligence and gain influence over elite individuals and organisations around the globe.
![[Angela Rayner’s ‘devolution revolution’ is supposed to give more power to the people. The reality is likely to be the opposite]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/01/93216213-14199833-Angela_Rayner_s_devolution_revolution_is_supposed_to_give_more_p-a-64_1734398907210.jpg)
Mr Yang certainly achieved impressive connections across politics, education, industry and the Royal Family. How much useful intelligence he might have gathered is unknown, but it shows the credulity of many in the British establishment that he was able to infiltrate its highest echelons so easily.
Communist China is not a friendly power. It is an oppressive regime which spies obsessively on other nations. Yes, we should trade with them, but we should also be aware that in all dealings we must proceed with extreme caution. It is a lesson that Sir Keir Starmer must learn quickly. In sucking up to Beijing in order to drum up new investment in Britain, the Prime Minister looks more naïve by the day.
