Key Witness Statements Published in China Espionage Case
Downing Street has published three witness statements from the UK’s deputy national security adviser in an effort to resolve the controversy surrounding dropped espionage charges against two Britons accused of spying for China. According to reports, the charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were abandoned because prosecutors could not obtain sufficient evidence that Beijing represented a “threat to the national security of the UK” over “many months.”
Prosecution Evidence Falls Short
The decision to release the statements was made by Keir Starmer at the start of prime minister’s questions on Wednesday. Sources indicate that the third and final statement supplied by Matthew Collins in August described China’s intelligence services as “highly capable” and stated they “conduct large scale espionage operations against the UK to advance the Chinese state’s interests and harm the interests and security of the UK.” However, the report states this language, while similar to what prosecutors sought, was nevertheless not thought sufficient to allow the case to proceed.
Evidential Threshold Not Met
The Crown Prosecution Service said it could no longer meet the evidential threshold to proceed with espionage charges against Christopher Cash, who worked for Conservative MPs, and Christopher Berry, a teacher. According to one report, the director of prosecutions told parliamentary committee chairs that the statements were “5% less than the evidence threshold that was needed,” though the CPS declined to comment officially. Both men had always maintained their innocence and now have no case to answer.
Government and Prosecutors Clash Over Responsibility
The extraordinary disclosures came a month after prosecutors unexpectedly announced on 15 September they were dropping charges. The decision triggered what analysts suggest was an extraordinary blame game between ministers and prosecutors. Stephen Parkinson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service, told MPs last week that the case had to be dropped because despite “many months” of efforts, the government did not provide witness statements stating that China “represented a threat to national security” at the time of the offence.
Timeline of Witness Statements
Downing Street revealed that three witness statements were submitted by Matthew Collins, the government’s deputy national security adviser. The first and most substantive statement was submitted in December 2023 under the Conservative government. Sources indicate that Collins submitted two supplementary witness statements this year, including one in August just weeks before the case was abandoned. Keir Starmer said he himself did not see the witness statements until Wednesday morning, hours before they were made public.
Broader Security Context
The developments unfolded as Oliver Robbins, the most senior servant in the Foreign Office, was visiting China for high-level government meetings. Sources briefed on his trip said he was holding discussions about controversial proposals for a Chinese super-embassy in London and the renovations needed on the British embassy in Beijing. Meanwhile, ministers are expected to delay the 21 October deadline over whether to approve the Chinese embassy in east London, which is fiercely opposed by a group of local residents, activists and MPs.
Intelligence Community Response
On Thursday, Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, is expected to spell out the threats posed by China in an annual security update. Whitehall insiders are reportedly frustrated by the failure to prosecute Cash and Berry and reiterate they stand by previous warnings about Chinese hacking and industrial espionage. The position of national security officials has come under increased scrutiny following these developments.
Contradictory Claims Emerge
Earlier on Wednesday, Dominic Cummings, who served as Boris Johnson’s chief adviser, claimed that China had breached secure high-level systems involving Strap material. However, this was denied by former senior cyber security officials working in Whitehall and the Cabinet Office within hours. A Cabinet Office spokesperson stated: “It is untrue to claim that the systems we use to transfer the most sensitive government information have been compromised.” Other senior officials confirmed the story was untrue.
Broader Implications for UK-China Relations
The case comes amid ongoing tensions between the United Kingdom and China over various security and diplomatic matters. As this situation develops, financial analysts are monitoring broader implications for international relations and economic stability. Recent reports from financial institutions including Morgan Stanley and concerns highlighted by IMF warnings about global debt suggest increasing attention to geopolitical risks. Additionally, ongoing legal challenges for major banks like Bank of America and BNY Mellon and domestic fiscal concerns such as the UK chancellor’s reported £22bn shortfall create a complex backdrop for these diplomatic developments.
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