Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that he will publish witness statements from deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins concerned with the collapsed espionage case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who were charged with spying for China.

Daily Mail

hansard.parliament.uk

Leftfootforward

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that he will publish witness statements from deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins concerned with the collapsed espionage case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who were charged with spying for China.

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against Cash and Berry in September after concluding evidence would not be provided confirming China represented a threat to U.K. national security at the time of the alleged offences between 2021 and 2023.

Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against Cash and Berry in September after concluding evidence would not be provided confirming China represented a threat to U.K. national security at the time of the alleged offences between 2021 and 2023.

In the House of Commons, Starmer alleged that government evidence was provided by only Collins, who "faithfully" presented the Conservative-era position on China policy during one "substantive" submission in 2023 as well as follow-up submissions earlier this year.

In the House of Commons, Starmer alleged that government evidence was provided by only Collins, who "faithfully" presented the Conservative-era position on China policy during one "substantive" submission in 2023 as well as follow-up submissions earlier this year.

Starmer claimed that the previous government had "carefully avoided" terminology that would've allowed prosecution under the then-Official Secrets Act. Meanwhile Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour government of a cover-up and claimed the previous Conservative government had indeed classified China as a threat.

Express.co.uk

Starmer claimed that the previous government had "carefully avoided" terminology that would've allowed prosecution under the then-Official Secrets Act. Meanwhile Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour government of a cover-up and claimed the previous Conservative government had indeed classified China as a threat.

Government sources reportedly claimed that the CPS was blocking the release of government statements. However, The CPS clarified it has no objection to publishing the witness statements, stating the material belonged to the government rather than prosecutors.

Guardian

Government sources reportedly claimed that the CPS was blocking the release of government statements. However, The CPS clarified it has no objection to publishing the witness statements, stating the material belonged to the government rather than prosecutors.

Both Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Berry, a teacher, have consistently maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings and deny any wrongdoing related to the espionage allegations.

BBC News

Both Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Berry, a teacher, have consistently maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings and deny any wrongdoing related to the espionage allegations.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he will publish witness statements from deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins that were central to the collapsed espionage case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who were charged with spying for China.</span

Daily Mail #

BBC News #

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he will publish witness statements from deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins that were central to the collapsed espionage case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who were charged with spying for China.

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against Cash and Berry in September after determining evidence could not be obtained showing China represented a threat to UK national security at the time of the alleged offences between 2021 and 2023.</span

Guardian #

Crown Prosecution Service #

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against Cash and Berry in September after determining evidence could not be obtained showing China represented a threat to UK national security at the time of the alleged offences between 2021 and 2023.

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson explained the case collapsed after a High Court ruling in R v Roussev required proof that China posed a national security threat, but witness statements failed to establish this designation.</span

Leftfootforward #

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson explained the case collapsed after a High Court ruling in R v Roussev required proof that China posed a national security threat, but witness statements failed to establish this designation.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour government of a cover-up and claimed the previous Conservative government had classified China as a threat, while Starmer cited Conservative officials who avoided such designations.</span

Express.co.uk #

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour government of a cover-up and claimed the previous Conservative government had classified China as a threat, while Starmer cited Conservative officials who avoided such designations.

The CPS clarified it had no objection to publishing the witness statements after initially being cited by government sources as blocking their release, stating the material belonged to the government rather than prosecutors.</span

The CPS clarified it had no objection to publishing the witness statements after initially being cited by government sources as blocking their release, stating the material belonged to the government rather than prosecutors.

Both Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Berry, a teacher, have consistently maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings and deny any wrongdoing related to the espionage allegations under the Official Secrets Act.</span

Both Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Berry, a teacher, have consistently maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings and deny any wrongdoing related to the espionage allegations under the Official Secrets Act.

Starmer to Publish Statements from Collapsed China Spy Case

Starmer to Publish Statements from Collapsed China Spy Case

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Starmer to Publish Statements from Collapsed China Spy Case

Starmer to Publish Statements from Collapsed China Spy Case

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