Ex Aussie PM tears into spooks over China suspicions

Australia's outspoken former prime minister Paul Keating has launched an extraordinary attack on the country's tops spies, branding them "nutters" who had gone "berko" over the threat from China.

Just weeks before a national election, the opposition Labor Party was on Monday forced to distance itself from its former talisman's comments.

Keating -- who was prime minister for five years until 1996 -- told national broadcaster ABC on Sunday that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service had "lost their strategic bearings."
Keating -- who has worked as an advisor to the state-backed China Development Bank -- said the spies had "all gone berko."
"For "a 'Labor legend' to go out there and attack the credibility of our security agencies that have been saving lives in this country, I think is very disappointing."