UK Government Releases Witness Statements in China Spy Case Collapse

The UK government has published key witness statements related to the collapse of a high-profile espionage case involving accusations against two men, **Christopher Cash** and **Christopher Berry**, of spying for China. The release of these statements comes after the **Crown Prosecution Service** (CPS) unexpectedly dropped charges against the two individuals last month, citing insufficient evidence to classify China as a national security threat at the time of the alleged offences.

In December 2023, **Matthew Collins**, the deputy national security adviser, provided a statement to prosecutors asserting that **China’s Intelligence Services** were engaging in “large scale espionage” against the UK and its allies. His assessment highlighted the threat posed by China, which he described as an authoritarian state that challenges the UK’s economic security. This initial statement, delivered when the Conservative Party was in power, laid the groundwork for the prosecution’s case.

A second statement, submitted in February 2025, reiterated the significant risks associated with China’s activities. Collins noted that while the UK benefits from bilateral trade with China, the latter represents a substantial state-based threat to the UK’s economic resilience and the integrity of its democratic institutions. This statement was made during the tenure of the Labour government, which has since positioned itself as taking a tougher stance on China’s espionage activities.

The third witness statement, released in August 2025, further underscored the prevailing challenges posed by China. Collins reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a positive economic relationship with China while ensuring that national security and values remain safeguarded. Notably, he pointed to a series of alleged actions attributed to Beijing, including a cyber-attack on the UK electoral commission between 2021 and 2023.

The publication of these witness statements was prompted by mounting pressure from ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) following the sudden collapse of the case. Prime Minister **Sir Keir Starmer** indicated he would release the deputy national security adviser’s statements in response to accusations of a “cover-up” from Conservative Party leader **Kemi Badenoch**. A Conservative spokesman emphasized the need for clarity, stating that numerous questions remain regarding the level of involvement of **National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell**.

In reflecting on the case’s collapse, the director of public prosecutions explained that evidence could not be secured from the government that explicitly classified China as a national security threat. Despite initial evidence supporting the charges against Cash and Berry, a precedent established in a separate espionage case earlier in the year necessitated such a classification for prosecution.

Collins’ 2023 statement detailed allegations against Cash and Berry, asserting that the Chinese state had recruited Berry as an agent who directed Cash, a parliamentary researcher involved with the **China Research Group**. The group was formed by Conservative MPs to examine the UK’s response to China’s ascent. Collins alleged that Berry had met with a senior official from the Chinese Communist Party and that Cash had been informed of this meeting.

In light of the recent developments, Cash has publicly maintained his innocence, stating that he has been placed in an “impossible position” without the opportunity for a public trial to clear his name. He criticized the media’s portrayal of the case, asserting that the context necessary for understanding the allegations was lacking.

Meanwhile, Berry has not commented since the case’s abrupt conclusion, although he has previously denied any wrongdoing. Both men were initially charged under the **Official Secrets Act** in April 2024, accused of gathering and disseminating information detrimental to national security between December 2021 and February 2023.

As the controversy unfolds, former Conservative Attorney General **Dominic Grieve** expressed bewilderment over the case’s abrupt collapse, arguing that the evidence presented clearly indicated that China posed a threat to national security. Grieve acknowledged the absence of explicit language identifying China as a national security threat but maintained that the totality of Collins’ statements left little doubt regarding the severity of the threat.

The Labour government has countered Conservative claims by asserting that the alleged offences occurred under their administration, which means the prosecution’s basis for charges must align with the Conservative stance on China at that time. The statements released reflect a shift in the government’s approach to addressing the challenges posed by China’s espionage activities.

The situation continues to develop as questions linger regarding the implications of the evidence now made public and the future trajectory of UK-China relations.