The former prime minister's stated tough stance on Beijing risks being undermined by the revelation of private emails to Kemi Badenoch. Photo: TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS
Liz Truss has privately urged Kemi Badenoch to “accelerate” the sale of mine countermeasures equipment to China, it has emerged.
The former prime minister, known for her particularly tough stance on Beijing, wrote to the Business Secretary last August, pleading with her to intervene on behalf of a company based in Ms Truss's constituency.
Ms Truss wrote that, according to private correspondence obtained by Politico, she would be “appreciative , if you would expedite the issuance (sic) of the license” for Richmond Defense Systems.
She admitted that the company told her that “if the license is not granted, the Chinese will simply reverse engineer and manufacture the products themselves.”
“This would mean lost future sales in the millions,” she added.< /p>
The draft response to Ms Badenoch said: “We have a responsibility to balance the desire to move quickly through the system with the need to consider the application carefully and thoroughly, and some decisions may take longer.”
Officials told Politico that Ms. Badenoch submitted a later version of the draft last December, but the department declined to release it.
Spokesman Kemi Badenoch raised concerns about the MP's correspondence and the draft letter disclosed in Freedom of Information. Photo: LEON NEAL/GETTY IMAGES
A spokesman for Ms Truss insisted she “always reviews constituent matters with government departments and takes follow-up action”. to give them the answers they need” and that it was part of her job as an MP.
But the revelations sparked criticism of the former foreign secretary and former prime minister, who was seeking to become one of the most ardent supporters of China in Westminster.
Speaking in November, Ms Truss said China had been “too much appeased” and that “if we continue to do deals with China, if we continue to export more to China and get more Chinese investment into the UK, that will ultimately be a lever impact.” it could be used against us.”
She also traveled to Taipei in Taiwan in May last year, three months before she wrote to Ms Badenoch urging Rishi Sunak to brand China a “threat” .
Alicia Kearns, the Conservative MP who chairs the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said: “Mine clearance equipment is subject to strict export controls for good reason.”
“It is contrary to our national interests, and that of the majority, and of course our ally Taiwan, to actively lobby for the export of dual-use technology to Chinese businesses under the coercion of the Chinese Communist Party.”
She added: “China is a threat and under no circumstances should their ground penetrating radar or explosives capabilities be expanded using British expertise – the government has the right to refuse an export licence.”
Alistair Carmichael, Spokesperson Lib Dem home affairs officer said: “It would be embarrassing if the former fleeting prime minister was capable of embarrassment.
“That's the strong stance on human rights and liberal democracy.”< /p >
A spokesperson for the Business Minister said they were “concerned that the MP's correspondence and draft letter were disclosed on Freedom of Information and are investigating how this happened.”
However, they added that the letter was “routine correspondence between the Secretary of State and an MP who is doing his job representing his constituency.”
Richmond Defense Systems' application for an export license was rejected by the government in April 2023, according to the correspondence. between Whitehall officials and lawyers, Politico reported.
This was said to be partly due to concerns that it could be sold to the Chinese government or others after it was received by a Chinese buyer.
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