Priti Patel Urges UK to Label China a Security Threat

Priti Patel, the UK's shadow foreign secretary, has called for China to be designated as a national security threat following a scandal involving an alleged Chinese spy accessing Buckingham Palace through Prince Andrew. Patel criticized the Labour government's focus on trade relations with China, arguing it compromises national security, and emphasized the need for China to be prominently featured in a proposed Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. She expressed concerns over China's planned 'super embassy' near the Tower of London and suggested that the UK should consider banning TikTok due to its ties to the Chinese government. In contrast, Labour's Commons leader Lucy Powell dismissed Patel's claims, advocating for the importance of maintaining trade relationships with China while addressing state threats. Patel's views align with other Conservative Party members who are pushing for increased scrutiny of China's activities in the UK. This debate has intensified amid ongoing concerns regarding China's influence and security implications.