18 October, 2025
uk-government-releases-key-witness-statements-in-spy-case-collapse

The UK government published crucial witness statements on August 30, 2025, related to a collapsed espionage case involving two men accused of spying for China. The case against **Christopher Cash** and **Christopher Berry** was unexpectedly dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) last month, sparking discussions about the evidence that led to this decision.

In a statement from **Matthew Collins**, the deputy national security adviser, made in December 2023, it was asserted that China was conducting “large scale espionage” against the UK. This claim has serious implications for the UK’s national security, as Collins indicated that the Chinese Intelligence Services posed a significant threat to the country’s economic safety and democratic integrity.

The second statement, dated February 2025, reiterated that while the UK and China benefit from bilateral trade, China’s actions are detrimental to the UK’s economic prosperity. Collins emphasized that the government remains committed to fostering a positive economic relationship with China, despite acknowledging the risks associated with its espionage activities.

As the political landscape shifted, the Labour government took office, and the context surrounding these statements became more complex. Prime Minister **Sir Keir Starmer** faced accusations from Conservative leader **Kemi Badenoch** regarding a “cover-up,” leading him to release these statements to the public. A Conservative spokesman raised concerns about the government’s transparency, questioning the involvement of **National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell** in the case.

Collins’s initial statement, submitted to prosecutors in December 2023, illustrated the government’s concerns about the alleged activities of Cash and Berry. He detailed how Berry was reportedly recruited as an agent by the Chinese state and worked with Cash, who was employed as a parliamentary researcher with access to the Commons China Research Group (CRG). This group, established by Conservative MPs, focused on the UK’s response to China’s rise.

In July 2022, Collins noted that Berry met with a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party, and communications between him and Cash indicated knowledge of this meeting, including messages suggesting awareness of the risks involved. The allegations suggest that information gathered by Cash and Berry was relayed to an individual believed to be a Chinese state agent.

Following the collapse of the case, Cash publicly declared his innocence, expressing frustration over the lack of a public trial to clear his name. He stated, “I have been placed in an impossible position. I have not had the daylight of a public trial to show my innocence,” highlighting the challenges he faces in the court of public opinion.

Both men were charged under the **Official Secrets Act** in April 2024, accused of gathering information detrimental to national security between December 2021 and February 2023. The CPS cited an inability to substantiate the charges due to the absence of evidence classifying China as a national security threat at the time of the alleged offenses. This shift in the legal framework has drawn criticism from some quarters, with former Conservative Attorney General **Dominic Grieve** expressing confusion over the case’s abrupt collapse.

The Labour government contends that the prosecution actions are linked to the Conservative government’s stance on China during the alleged spying period. In contrast, the third witness statement released aligns with Labour’s position on the matter, reflecting a nuanced approach to UK-China relations.

As the situation continues to unfold, questions remain regarding the future of UK-China relations and the implications of this case for national security. The government is expected to face ongoing scrutiny over its handling of evidence related to espionage and the broader strategic challenges posed by China.