What's happened
In September 2025, British prosecutors dropped espionage charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, accused of spying for China between 2021 and 2023. The case collapsed after the government failed to provide evidence that China was a national security threat at the time of the alleged offenses, a legal requirement under the 1911 Official Secrets Act. Both men deny wrongdoing.
What's behind the headline?
Legal and Political Implications
The collapse of the espionage trial exposes a critical tension between legal standards and political considerations in UK national security policy. The 1911 Official Secrets Act demands that espionage defendants be proven to have acted for an "enemy," now legally interpreted as a country posing a current threat to national security at the time of the offense. However, the UK government, under both Conservative and Labour administrations, has avoided formally designating China as such an enemy, instead describing it as a "systemic challenge" or "geostrategic competitor."
Governmental Responsibility and Accountability
The failure to provide prosecutors with witness statements explicitly labeling China a threat has sparked a blame game between the Conservative and Labour parties. While Labour insists it must rely on the previous Conservative government's policy for the relevant period, critics argue that internal documents and intelligence clearly identified China as a threat, and that the government withheld evidence that could have supported prosecution.
Impact on UK-China Relations and National Security
The case's collapse highlights the UK's delicate balancing act between confronting Chinese espionage and maintaining diplomatic ties. The reluctance to label China an enemy in court reflects broader strategic considerations but undermines the UK's ability to prosecute espionage effectively under existing laws.
Future Legal and Policy Directions
The replacement of the 1911 Official Secrets Act with the 2023 National Security Act, which uses broader terms like "foreign power," may facilitate future prosecutions. However, the current episode underscores the need for clearer policies and transparency to avoid similar legal failures and maintain public trust in national security enforcement.
Forecast
This controversy will likely intensify parliamentary scrutiny and public debate over the UK's China policy and espionage laws. The government may face pressure to release more evidence and clarify its stance on China as a national security threat. The episode also signals challenges in adapting legacy laws to contemporary geopolitical realities.
What the papers say
Dan Sabbagh in The Guardian provides detailed coverage of the government's internal witness statements, revealing that Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, submitted three statements over 2023-2025 describing China as a "highly capable" espionage actor but stopping short of labeling it an "enemy" as legally required. The Guardian also reports on the political fallout, including accusations from the Conservatives that Labour deliberately collapsed the trial to avoid antagonizing China.
The Independent highlights former minister Chris Philp's criticism that the government possessed ample internal documents evidencing China's threat but chose not to disclose them, effectively "destroying the prosecution." It also features voices like Lord Sedwill expressing puzzlement over the trial's collapse and calls for fuller explanations.
The Guardian's Emine Sinmaz covers the Crown Prosecution Service's position that it did not block evidence release and that the government alone controls publication, countering government claims of CPS obstruction. She also notes Keir Starmer's defense of Collins and the government's reliance on previous Conservative policy.
The Guardian's Dan Jarvis and others emphasize the contradiction in government messaging, with ministers acknowledging China as a threat in public documents but failing to reflect this in witness statements, fueling skepticism about possible political interference.
Bloomberg and The Japan Times provide brief international perspectives, including China's official denial and dismissal of the allegations as "pure fabrication" and "malicious slander."
Together, these sources illustrate a complex interplay of legal standards, political strategy, and national security concerns shaping the trial's collapse and ongoing debate.
How we got here
Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were charged in April 2024 under the 1911 Official Secrets Act for allegedly spying for China between late 2021 and early 2023. The prosecution required evidence that China was an "enemy" or a threat to UK national security at the time of the offenses. Legal changes in 2024 clarified this requirement, but the government did not provide such evidence, leading to the case's collapse.
Go deeper
- Why did the UK government fail to label China a national security threat?
- What legal changes affected the espionage case?
- How will this affect UK-China relations going forward?
Common question
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Why Did the UK Drop China Spy Charges Now?
The UK recently dropped espionage charges against two individuals accused of passing sensitive information to China. This decision has sparked questions about the changing UK-China relationship, national security policies, and diplomatic tensions. What prompted this move, and what does it mean for future security cases involving China? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this development.
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Why Did the UK Spy Trial Collapse Over China Threat?
The recent collapse of a high-profile UK espionage trial has raised many questions about national security, legal standards, and diplomatic relations with China. Understanding why the case was dropped involves exploring the legal definitions, government policies, and political tensions at play. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about this complex case and what it means for UK-China relations.
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Why Was the UK Spy Trial Dropped?
In September 2025, the UK dropped espionage charges against two men accused of spying for China. The case's collapse raises questions about the legal standards, political influences, and diplomatic considerations involved. Curious about what led to this surprising outcome? Below, we explore the key details and answer common questions about this high-profile case.
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Why Did the UK Spy Case Collapse and What Are the Implications?
In September 2025, a high-profile espionage case against two men accused of spying for China was unexpectedly dropped. This surprising development raises questions about the legal standards, government transparency, and diplomatic tensions involved. What does this case tell us about UK-China relations and the state of espionage in the UK? Below, we explore the key questions and what they mean for international security and diplomacy.
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Why Was the UK Spy Trial Dropped Over China Threats?
In September 2025, a high-profile espionage case involving alleged spying for China was abruptly dropped by UK prosecutors. This unexpected move has raised many questions about national security, legal standards, and political influences. Below, we explore the key reasons behind the case's collapse, what evidence was missing, and what this means for future espionage prosecutions. If you're curious about the implications of this case and the broader context of China-related espionage, read on to find clear answers.
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