Simon Case, UK Cabinet Secretary, is in the news over recent government security and defense issues, after serving as Downing Street's top civil servant since 2020.
In October 2025, the UK government faces intense scrutiny after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped espionage charges against two men accused of spying for China. The case collapsed because the government did not provide evidence that China was a national security threat at the time of the alleged offences, a legal requirement under the Official Secrets Act 1911. Parliamentary committees have launched inquiries, and MI5 has expressed frustration over the decision amid ongoing UK-China diplomatic engagement.
The UK has dropped charges against two alleged Chinese spies, citing lack of evidence. The case's end has raised US concerns about intelligence sharing and UK’s stance on China. The trial's collapse questions UK’s approach to Chinese espionage and its impact on diplomatic relations, especially with the US, as the Prime Minister’s government faces scrutiny.