Rob Watson

I mean, their position has been complicated by the fact that Elon Musk is very close to Donald Trump. So maybe if they weren't, they would just say, look, Mr. Musk, shut up. But of course, they don't want to upset Donald Trump. So this is absolutely brand new territory. And let's be frank about it. The politicians here and elsewhere in Europe, they're struggling as to what to do.

Well, you know that he's 50 years old. He first came to the UK in 2002 to study English. He then got permanent leave to remain in the UK. In other words, he was living here. And what he says he was doing was promoting business contacts between the UK and between China.

Well, you know that he's 50 years old. He first came to the UK in 2002 to study English. He then got permanent leave to remain in the UK. In other words, he was living here. And what he says he was doing was promoting business contacts between the UK and between China.

But what he was accused of by Britain's intelligence agencies, and this was upheld by a court, that he was, in fact, part of a broader Chinese espionage effort intended at, if you like, influencing China. the view of China here in the UK. But he has now come out, as it were, in order to say that's absolute nonsense.

But what he was accused of by Britain's intelligence agencies, and this was upheld by a court, that he was, in fact, part of a broader Chinese espionage effort intended at, if you like, influencing China. the view of China here in the UK. But he has now come out, as it were, in order to say that's absolute nonsense.

You know, he is a legitimate business, and he's just sort of fallen foul of a change in political climate between the UK and China since 2013.

You know, he is a legitimate business, and he's just sort of fallen foul of a change in political climate between the UK and China since 2013.

Well, on the face of it, Catherine, the implication is that it should complicate efforts by the still new-ish Labour government here to improve relations between London and Beijing. But Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, seems to be sticking to the idea of a policy reset and has said...

Well, on the face of it, Catherine, the implication is that it should complicate efforts by the still new-ish Labour government here to improve relations between London and Beijing. But Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, seems to be sticking to the idea of a policy reset and has said...

Yep, while he's concerned about China, he still believes it's perfectly possible to engage with China and cooperate on economics and issues such as climate change, while at the same time challenging it on security and human rights.

Yep, while he's concerned about China, he still believes it's perfectly possible to engage with China and cooperate on economics and issues such as climate change, while at the same time challenging it on security and human rights.

Yes. So what the Conservatives are saying is that it's just not realistic to say that you can somehow have your cake and eat it with China, that you can have good economic relationship while being the subject of what nobody is disputing on either side is a pretty intensive espionage effort by China.

Yes. So what the Conservatives are saying is that it's just not realistic to say that you can somehow have your cake and eat it with China, that you can have good economic relationship while being the subject of what nobody is disputing on either side is a pretty intensive espionage effort by China.

Well, his reputation, to put it mildly, Catherine, is already pretty much rock bottom, both within the royal family and beyond. But it sinks a little further as a result of this. And I think that explains why we're hearing from palace sources that he's going to be making himself pretty scarce at Christmas and not appearing in those sort of royal family public appearances.

Well, his reputation, to put it mildly, Catherine, is already pretty much rock bottom, both within the royal family and beyond. But it sinks a little further as a result of this. And I think that explains why we're hearing from palace sources that he's going to be making himself pretty scarce at Christmas and not appearing in those sort of royal family public appearances.

I guess there's some suggestions that perhaps King Charles should have been a bit more ruthless in how he dealt with his younger brother, Prince Andrew. And I guess it also to some extent raises questions about, you know, just how do you mix royalty with diplomacy and trade promotion without occasionally getting yourself tied in some pretty horrible knots. Rob Watson.

I guess there's some suggestions that perhaps King Charles should have been a bit more ruthless in how he dealt with his younger brother, Prince Andrew. And I guess it also to some extent raises questions about, you know, just how do you mix royalty with diplomacy and trade promotion without occasionally getting yourself tied in some pretty horrible knots. Rob Watson.