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.

Daily Mail #

hansard.parliament.uk #

Leftfootforward #

Crown Prosecution Service #

Express.co.uk #

Guardian #

BBC News #

Labour's desperate pursuit of Chinese trade deals has compromised national security at every turn. The government lobbied for China's embassy application, gave away the Chagos Islands to a Chinese ally, and mysteriously allowed a 'slam dunk' spy case to collapse after officials met in September.

Labour's desperate pursuit of Chinese trade deals has compromised national security at every turn. The government lobbied for China's embassy application, gave away the Chagos Islands to a Chinese ally, and mysteriously allowed a 'slam dunk' spy case to collapse after officials met in September.</span

Conservative Home

Conservative Home #

Labour has a serious China problem and it isnt going away

The spy case collapsed because Conservative policies from 2021-2023 deliberately avoided calling China an enemy or threat. Badenoch herself said China shouldn't be called a 'foe' and refused audits of Chinese influence, while the evidence was submitted under Tory watch in 2023.

The spy case collapsed because Conservative policies from 2021-2023 deliberately avoided calling China an enemy or threat. Badenoch herself said China shouldn't be called a 'foe' and refused audits of Chinese influence, while the evidence was submitted under Tory watch in 2023.</span

New Statesman

New Statesman #

Kemi Badenoch is pretending to be tough on China

Engagements

Starmer to Publish Statements from Collapsed China Spy Case

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The spy case collapsed because Conservative-era policies deliberately avoided calling China an enemy or threat. Badenoch has previously said herself that China shouldn't be called a "foe" and publicly refused audits into Chinese influence. All evidence submitted has been based upon Tory-era policies as legally required, making Badenoch's outcries nothing more than performative hypocrisy.

The spy case collapsed because Conservative-era policies deliberately avoided calling China an enemy or threat. Badenoch has previously said herself that China shouldn't be called a "foe" and publicly refused audits into Chinese influence. All evidence submitted has been based upon Tory-era policies as legally required, making Badenoch's outcries nothing more than performative hypocrisy.

Labour's desperate pursuit of Chinese trade deals has compromised national security at every turn. The government lobbied for China's embassy application, gave away the Chagos Islands to a Chinese ally and mysteriously allowed a spy case to collapse despite numerous texts clearly labelling China a threat. Under Labour, Britain is not safe.

Labour's desperate pursuit of Chinese trade deals has compromised national security at every turn. The government lobbied for China's embassy application, gave away the Chagos Islands to a Chinese ally and mysteriously allowed a spy case to collapse despite numerous texts clearly labelling China a threat. Under Labour, Britain is not safe.

Basil the Great

Basil_TGMD

Infighting at the center of Westminster only exposes the hopeless ineptitude of those who seek to push baseless conspiracies surrounding China's role in the U.K. The case could not continue as, plainly, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. Spreading lies about Beijing only undermines the possibility of a prosperous future between these two nations.

Infighting at the center of Westminster only exposes the hopeless ineptitude of those who seek to push baseless conspiracies surrounding China's role in the U.K. The case could not continue as, plainly, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. Spreading lies about Beijing only undermines the possibility of a prosperous future between these two nations.

China Daily

Aborted British spy trial exposes fallacy over China

People's Daily

The UK should put a complete stop to the spy case farce

There is a 16% chance that, if China invades Taiwan before 2035, the U.K. will respond with military forces, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 16% chance that, if China invades Taiwan before 2035, the U.K. will respond with military forces, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

UK: Gov. to Publish Statements from Collapsed China Spy Case

StarmerUK: Gov. to Publish Statements from Collapsed China Spy Case

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UK: Gov. to Publish Statements from Collapsed China Spy Case

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