Downing Street has denied any government involvement in the collapse of a prosecution against two men accused of spying for China. Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, both of whom deny the allegations, had charges dropped by prosecutors in September.
A Number 10 spokesperson said claims that the government withheld evidence, withdrew witnesses, or restricted witness testimony are “all untrue.” The denial follows reports that senior Whitehall officials met to discuss the case shortly before the charges were dropped.
Cash and Berry were charged under the Official Secrets Act in April 2024 for allegedly gathering and providing information prejudicial to the safety and interests of the state between December 2021 and February 2023. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the case could not proceed because the evidence no longer met the required legal threshold.
The prime minister’s official spokesman emphasized that the CPS decision was made “entirely independently of government” and that no minister or government member influenced the outcome. Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson also denied that any external pressure affected the ruling.
The Sunday Times reported that National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell had indicated the government’s evidence would rely on the national security strategy, which does not classify China as an “enemy.” Downing Street said the evidence reflected the previous government’s position, which described China as an “epoch-defining challenge,” not an enemy.
The case’s collapse has drawn criticism from MPs concerned about national security. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said it could leave Parliament vulnerable to espionage. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, who formerly employed Cash, described the situation as “inexplicable” and suggested the CPS’s prosecutorial ability may have been undermined in recent weeks.
Kearns said the evidential standard had initially been met when charges were laid, but changes—including the withdrawal of evidence or witnesses—prevented the trial from proceeding. She expressed concern that the government’s handling of the case may reflect an effort to reset relations with Beijing.
Labour has pursued closer trade ties with China since last year’s general election, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy visiting Beijing in October 2024 to seek “pragmatic solutions to complex challenges.”
The controversy highlights tensions between national security priorities and diplomatic considerations in UK policy toward China.
Downing Street continues to insist that all actions related to the case were lawful and that the CPS retains full independence in its decision-making.