UK Drops Espionage Case Against Two Men Accused of Spying for China
In a surprising turn of events, the UK has dropped its high-profile espionage case against two British nationals, Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, who were accused of passing sensitive information to China. The decision came just a month before their trial was scheduled to begin, a move that has sparked significant criticism and raised questions about the UK's ability to counter foreign espionage.
The charges, which the two men had consistently denied, were based on allegations that they provided information to the Chinese state. Cash was arrested while working as a parliamentary researcher for Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, who at the time chaired the influential Foreign Affairs Committee. Berry, the co-accused, had also been associated with political circles.
At a hearing at London's Old Bailey court, prosecutor Tom Little informed the court that the case against Cash and Berry could not proceed. He stated that the case no longer met the "evidential threshold" required for a successful prosecution. This decision effectively ends the legal proceedings against the pair, allowing them to walk free despite the gravity of the initial accusations.
A "Disastrous" Development: Alicia Kearns' Statement
The decision has been met with strong condemnation, particularly from Alicia Kearns, who had close dealings with one of the accused. In a powerful statement delivered in Parliament, Alicia Kearns expressed her dismay and frustration. She began by thanking the Speaker for support and acknowledging the work of the intelligence community and counter-terrorism police.
Alicia Kearns called the decision a "disaster," arguing it would "embolden our enemies" and make the UK appear "unwilling to defend our own nation." She highlighted the seemingly overwhelming evidence that intelligence and police agencies had presented. She stated that agency heads and counter-terrorism police had told her the evidence was "overwhelming and the case beyond doubt," and that the "evidential standard had been met at the time of charges."
She questioned why the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) failed to get the case "over the line" and why, given the compelling evidence, it didn't proceed to a jury trial. Alicia Kearns directly implicated the two accused, stating that the evidence showed a "clear line between those two, the United Front Work Department and the politburo—the very top of the Chinese Communist party." She concluded by saying, "Whoever is responsible for this decision... they have weakened the defence of our country today and I am desperately sorry to see it."
Kearns also used her platform to advocate for legislative changes, urging the government to reform the Treason Act, place China in the "enhanced tier" for security purposes, and support private prosecutions to ensure accountability for similar future offences.
The decision to drop the case raises serious questions about the UK's legal framework for handling foreign espionage and the coordination between intelligence agencies and the Crown Prosecution Service.
