In Parliament, James raised the important of national security powers on the ownership or control of companies.
While welcoming investment into the UK, the current legal framework needs to be strengthened urgently. James pressed for the government measures to protect our critical national infrastructure sectors as well as our technology base from hostile states or state-backed enterprises and for the rules to cover assets such as intellectual property, as well as the ownership or control of firms.
James was a Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence for three years, and subsequently Chief of Staff in the Cabinet Office which oversees the National Security Secretariat. In these role he was closely involved in issues surrounded the screening and takeover of companies and related national security issues.
The Minister for the Cabinet Office confirmed that the government will be brining forward a National Security and Investment Bill.
Other countries including Australia, Japan, and Germany have strengthened their regime to protect against national security threats.
