Why questions remain about the collapsed China spying case

Why questions remain about the collapsed China spying case

Author: The Times October 16, 2025 Duration: 31:56

Since the case against two British men accused of spying for China suddenly collapsed, the Government and the Crown Prosecution Service have been playing the blame game, each accusing the other of being responsible. So who’s really at fault? And did China get a free pass in order to secure a better trade deal?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, Sunday Times. 

Host: Manveen Rana. 

Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson. 

Read more: 

Further listening: The Westminster aide suspected of spying for China 

Clips: Sky, WION, BBC, ITV, Parliament TV, Channel 4.

Photo: Alamy, Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street/Crown Copyright, Faculty AI, Adobe Stock, Denise Kelly. 

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
Greta’s mission to Gaza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
On Monday a boat of twelve activists, including Greta Thunberg, was intercepted by Israel on its way to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza. More than a humanitarian mission, its aim was to keep the world's attentio…
Trump v Musk: who won? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:07
The closest of bromances devolved last week into a public cage fight. Where did this come from? And when the richest man in the world and the most powerful man in the world decide to do battle, what are the stakes?This p…
 Welcome to the Manosphere: a journey through modern masculinity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:02
The journalist James Bloodworth has been exploring the manosphere revealing a hidden world of modern masculinity and the anxieties driving it. Charting the history from pickup artists to incels and influencers, he tells…
The Sunday Edition: How vaping took over Britain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:59
This episode was originally published two year ago.They are supposed to help adults quit smoking – so why is a Willy Wonka array of disposable vapes being mass marketed to children? The Chartered Trading Standards Instit…
How To Stop A Spending Review Revolt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:02
With tough choices facing the government, the political masterminds look at what goes on behind the scenes ahead of a spending review - and how reluctant ministers are brought into line.And as the Tories finally put the…
The making of Beyoncé — by friends, family and Team Bey insiders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:48
As Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour comes to the UK, we chart the rise of a shy schoolgirl from Texas who became a record-breaking billionaire. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times an…
No water, no power, no comms: the attack Britain should prepare for [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:32
The government’s Strategic Defence Review has set out a vision for Britain’s defence for the next decade. One of its authors, General Sir Richard Barrons, spoke to Manveen Rana about the threat from Russia, the wars and…
Why the dollar is crashing – and why you should care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:15
The dollar has been the global reserve currency nearly a century. But four months into the new Trump administration, could that be about to change?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The T…
 Palmyra: Syria's past, present and future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:57
Anthony Loyd and the legendary photographer Don McCullin have been to Syria to chronicle the destruction of Palmyra by Islamic State and to see what is changing under the new Syrian regime. Manveen sat down with them at…
How Giorgia Meloni became Europe’s political superstar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:20
Giorgia Meloni has world leaders falling at her feet and the Trump administration in her thrall. But how did she reinvent herself from leader of a minor neo-fascist party to the new political queen of Europe?This podcast…