Keir Starmer has touched down in China for a two-day visit that will include a chat with leader Xi Jinping and plenty of business discussion.
But there’s no getting away from the fact that the trip is taking place amid rising tensions over the threat to the UK from sophisticated Chinese espionage.
Just two months ago, MI5 warned MPs and peers that Chinese intelligence officers were trying to recruit people in parliament with access to sensitive information.
And Beijing’s proposed new embassy in London – now given the green light by the government – has been steeped in controversy over its proximity to vital telecommunications cables.
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat claimed yesterday that concerns over security even dictated the government’s choice of transport for the trip.
The Conservative MP wrote in a post on X: ‘Starmer’s circus aren’t just taking burner phones to China to beat spying, they’re taking a burner plane!
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‘The government jet is staying home because it would need to be guarded round the clock to stop China putting bugs on it – so they’ve hired a plane!’
He repeated the claim in an appearance on Sky News this morning. But is it true?
It’s certainly accurate to say the Prime Minister’s team is taking extensive precautions to keep security tight on the visit.
Journalists in the press pack have reported Sir Keir himself is among the officials using a burner phone while in China, with some of them resorting to using a notepad and pen in the absence of tech.
But a government source told Metro the decision to take a British Airways jet was simply down to the size of the delegation going along.
Nearly 60 business and cultural leaders are joining the PM for the trip, along with dozens of journalists, and it would be a tight squeeze to get them on the official government plane.
A similar arrangement, also with BA, was made when 125 business leaders joined an official visit to India last October.
The airline’s Chief Commercial Officer Colm Lacy is among the figures in the delegation.
Sir Keir has argued a ‘a strategic and consistent relationship’ with China is ‘firmly in our national interest’ despite questions over the threat of espionage.
He said: ‘That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose – but engaging even where we disagree.’
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Manchester United reverting to a back-four system on a long-term basis could lead to a surprise move for Chelsea winger Tyrique George, according to reports.
Caretaker boss Michael Carrick has gone back to the more traditional system in his two games in charge since Ruben Amorim’s sacking earlier in the month.
Amorim stuck with his favoured 3-4-3 system despite overseeing largely poor performances and results during his disappointing 14-month tenure.
The system did not suit a number of United players but Amorim persisted almost right up until the moment he was sacked by Old Trafford bosses.
Director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe are believed to have put pressure on Amorim to change his formation but the ex-Sporting manager was reluctant to adapt.
Manchester United are now expected to stick to a back-four system going forward regardless of whether Carrick is given the permanent job or not.
The Daily Mail say this move could raise the possibility of United pursuing wingers this summer and have suggested Chelsea academy graduate George could ‘come into consideration’.
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George, 19, is believed to have been one of a number of Chelsea players offered to United during their negotiations for Alejandro Garnacho.
Manchester United initially slapped a huge asking price on the Argentine and Chelsea hoped they could send an unwanted player to Old Trafford to bring the transfer fee down.
United rejected the chance to sign multiple Chelsea stars in the deal, however, and finally dropped their demands and agreed to sell Garnacho for £40m.
George was also discussed as part of a potential swap deal for Xavi Simons but Chelsea lost interest in the midfielder, who later joined their London rivals Tottenham.
England U21 star George was subsequently close to joining Fulham on transfer deadline day before the £22m deal collapsed.
Fulham boss Marco Silva identified George as an ideal replacement for Harry Wilson, who was in talks with Leeds United, but the Welshman stayed put meaning the deal with Chelsea broke down.
George played relatively regularly under Enzo Maresca last season, making 26 appearances in all competitions, but his minutes have dried up this term.
The 19-year-old is yet to start a Premier League game and Chelsea have made it clear they would be open to cashing in either before the January transfer window closes or more likely this summer.
George has been effectively frozen out of the first-team at Stamford Bridge and did not even make the matchday squad for Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Championship side Charlton earlier in the month.
Asked about the player’s future in west London recently, new Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior said: ‘The honest answer is I don’t know. Tyrique is a player of immense potential who I’ve been aware of for a long time.’
George looks set to become the latest Chelsea academy product to be sold following the likes of Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Tammy Abraham, Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori.
With United possibly looking to bolster their options on the wings, AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye could also emerge as targets, according to the Mail.
Manchester United’s main focus, however, remains signing a central midfielder, with Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton three top targets.
United have improved dramatically since Carrick took over from Amorim and are back in the Champions League places ahead of this weekend’s clash against Fulham.
Chelsea are just one point behind in fifth and will hope to leapfrog the Red Devils when they face London rivals West Ham on Saturday.
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