The UK government published critical witness statements on August 30, 2023, related to the collapsed espionage case against two men, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, accused of spying for China. This release follows the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) unexpected decision to drop charges last month. The move has prompted significant political scrutiny, particularly regarding the government’s stance on national security threats posed by China.
In a statement from December 2023, Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, warned of “large scale espionage” conducted by China against the UK. He asserted that the Chinese Intelligence Services are capable of operating extensively to advance China’s interests while undermining UK security. Following this, a second statement from February 2025 emphasized that China’s actions pose challenges to the UK’s economic prosperity and resilience.
Despite these warnings, Collins also noted the government’s commitment to fostering a positive economic relationship with China. He stated, “The government believes that the UK must continue to engage with international partners on trade and investment to grow our economy while ensuring that our security and values are not compromised.”
The publication of these statements came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced allegations of a “cover-up” from Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party. Starmer responded by agreeing to release Collins’s statements, revealing the complexities of the case and the government’s evolving narrative on China.
The CPS cited the inability to obtain evidence from the government classifying China as a national security threat as a primary reason for the case’s collapse. In April 2024, when the charges were initially brought against Cash and Berry, the government had not officially labeled China as a national security threat. This classification is crucial, as a precedent set by an earlier case dictated that such a designation was necessary for prosecution.
Details from Collins’s statements outline allegations against the two men, including claims that Berry acted as an agent for the Chinese state, directing Cash, who had access to sensitive parliamentary groups. Collins indicated that Berry had met with a senior Chinese Communist Party official in July 2022, and that information gathered was relayed to an individual identified only as “Alex,” believed to be a Chinese agent.
In light of these revelations, Cash has publicly stated his innocence, expressing frustration at not having the opportunity for a public trial to clear his name. He remarked, “I have been placed in an impossible position,” criticizing the media coverage surrounding the case. Berry, who has previously denied the allegations, has remained silent since the charges were dropped.
The statements published on Wednesday reflect a significant shift in the government’s approach to China, particularly under the current Labour administration. While the initial assessments were made during a Conservative government, the Labour government has emphasized a cautious engagement with China, balancing economic interests with national security concerns.
Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve expressed confusion over the case’s collapse, highlighting that the totality of the evidence points to a clear threat from China. He noted, “When you read the totality of these statements, you can be left in absolutely no doubt that China was a threat to our national security.”
The ongoing fallout from the case raises questions about the government’s handling of national security issues and its relationship with China. The Labour government has asserted that the alleged offenses occurred during Conservative rule, which complicates the prosecution’s basis for moving forward.
As the situation develops, the implications of the government’s statements and the CPS’s decision will likely continue to resonate across political and public spheres, drawing attention to the delicate balance between national security and diplomatic relations.