Chinese spies in Britain,the UK government denied responsibility for the collapse of a high-profile espionage trial involving two men accused of spying for China. Officials said the prosecution’s decision was based on the former government’s China policy, which avoided labeling Beijing an “enemy.”
Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | October 2025 |
| Defendants | Christopher Cash (30), Christopher Berry (33) |
| Charges | Sharing sensitive political information with Chinese intelligence |
| Outcome | Charges dropped by prosecutors |
| Law | Official Secrets Act |
| Cause of failure | Political reluctance to confront China and protect intelligence sources |
What Happened
The defendants were arrested in 2023, but the case was dismissed weeks before trial. British media reported that the government’s hesitation to label China as an adversary weakened the prosecution’s arguments.
Chinese spies in Britain
Opposition parties accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government of deliberately undermining the case to preserve diplomatic ties with China. Experts also noted that intelligence protection concerns may have influenced the decision.
What’s Next
The National Security Act (2023) gives future prosecutors broader tools to pursue espionage cases under various circumstances.