Key Witness Statements Released in Disputed China Espionage Case

The United Kingdom government has released key witness statements related to a controversial espionage case that recently collapsed. The case involved two men, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who were accused of spying for China. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the charges unexpectedly last month, citing an inability to obtain necessary evidence linking China to national security threats.

In a statement made in December 2023, Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, warned of “large scale espionage” being conducted by China against the UK. This assertion was part of a broader narrative that the Chinese state poses a significant threat to the UK’s economic security and democratic institutions. Collins’ statements highlighted the dual nature of UK-China relations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive economic partnership while addressing national security concerns.

Government Responses and Controversy

Following the CPS’s decision to drop the case, questions arose from both ministers and Members of Parliament. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated he would publish Collins’ statements after accusations from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch suggested a government “cover-up.” A Conservative spokesman expressed that many questions remain regarding the government’s handling of the situation, particularly concerning the involvement of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.

The first witness statement from Collins was provided during a Conservative government, while the subsequent ones came after the Labour Party assumed power. The documents indicate that Collins, in his second statement dated February 2025, reiterated that China’s espionage operations threaten not only the UK’s economic prosperity but also its democratic integrity. He pointed to incidents such as a cyber-attack on the UK electoral commission between 2021 and 2023 as evidence of China’s aggressive tactics.

In a notable aspect of his February 2025 statement, Collins acknowledged the need for a constructive economic relationship with China, stating, “the government is committed to pursuing a positive economic relationship with China.” This statement comes against the backdrop of ongoing debates about the balance between economic engagement and national security.

Details of the Espionage Allegations

Collins’ first statement contained detailed allegations against Cash and Berry, based on intelligence from counter-terrorism police. He asserted that the Chinese state had successfully recruited Berry and directed him to work with Cash, who had access to the Commons China Research Group (CRG). The CRG, established by Conservative MPs, aimed to assess the UK’s response to China’s rise.

Further allegations suggested that Berry had met a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party in July 2022, with Cash reportedly aware of this meeting. Collins indicated that the information gathered was shared with an individual dubbed “Alex,” believed to be a Chinese state agent. His assessment was based on the premise that the facts presented by counter-terrorism police were accurate, including intelligence regarding potential political appointments and leadership dynamics within the Conservative Party.

In light of the case’s collapse, Cash has publicly reaffirmed his innocence, asserting he has been subjected to a “trial by media” without the opportunity for a public trial. Berry, while denying the charges previously, has refrained from commenting since the CPS’s decision.

The two men were charged under the Official Secrets Act in April 2024, accused of gathering and disseminating sensitive information that could jeopardize national security. The director of public prosecutions explained that the case faltered because it could not be established that China was a national security threat at the time of the alleged actions. This conclusion was reached following a precedent set by another espionage case earlier in the year.

As the government navigates the fallout from this case, former Conservative Attorney General Dominic Grieve expressed bewilderment at the collapse of the prosecution, emphasizing that the statements clearly indicated China’s threat to national security.

In the wake of these developments, the Labour government maintains that the alleged offenses occurred under the previous Conservative administration, suggesting that the prosecution’s foundation was inherently tied to the then-current stance on China. The third witness statement, released later, echoed Labour’s perspective on the challenges posed by China, aligning with positions outlined in its 2024 manifesto.

As the investigation continues to unfold, the implications for UK-China relations remain significant, with the government facing scrutiny over its approach to both national security and economic partnership.