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A parliamentary committee has cautioned that the failures seen in a recent espionage trial involving China-related allegations could easily recur without significant reforms. The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy attributed the collapse of the case to “shambolic” handling, which led prosecutors to drop charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry. Both individuals were accused of passing sensitive information to a Chinese intelligence operative but continue to deny the allegations against them.
The trial had sparked controversy, with some critics accusing the government of intentionally allowing the proceedings to fail in order to protect trade relations with China. Nevertheless, the committee found no evidence of a deliberate, coordinated effort to sabotage the case. Matt Western, who chairs the committee, warned that if similar cases are mishandled in the future, it could severely damage public confidence in national security institutions.
Christopher Cash, formerly a parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, an academic based in China, were charged under the Official Secrets Act in April 2024. Cash had previously worked for MPs known for their critical stance on China, including Tom Tugendhat and Alicia Kearns. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) subsequently revealed that the case fell apart partly because Matthew Collins, then deputy national security adviser, refused to designate China as an “enemy” at the relevant time. However, the committee expressed surprise at the CPS’s decision not to proceed to trial, suggesting the case ought to have been presented before a jury.
The report rejected the government’s contention that the new National Security Act 2023 would prevent future trial collapses. This legislation, introduced by the Conservative government to broaden espionage offences beyond aiding an “enemy,” also targets foreign interference and cyber threats. The committee emphasized the need for urgent reforms, dismissing the idea that the Cash/Berry case failure was due to outdated laws alone. Among its recommendations are a comprehensive review of the deputy national security adviser’s role, improved communication between prosecutors and government officials, and mandatory early formal conferences for espionage cases. These measures aim to ensure weaknesses are identified promptly and public trust in security processes is restored
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