October 16, 2025
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to publish in full the witness statements given by the Deputy National Security Adviser in a collapsed China espionage case, in response to growing pressure over the government’s handling of the trial.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he will publish the witness statements submitted by Britain’s Deputy National Security Adviser in a long-controversial China spy case, aiming to defuse criticism over the collapse of the prosecution. Reuters
In March 2023, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were charged under the Official Secrets Act (1911) with allegedly sharing sensitive information with a Chinese intelligence agent. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) unexpectedly dropped the charges in September 2025, citing that key evidence linking China to a national security threat was lacking — evidence that was expected from government witness statements. Reuters+2Reuters+2
The fallout led to accusations that the government intervened or withheld crucial material. Critics argued that failure to formally designate China as a threat prevented sufficient evidence from being used. The Guardian+2Financial Times+2
During his address in Parliament, Starmer stated that the statements were produced without political interference from ministers or special advisers and that publishing them is necessary to restore trust. He denied any alteration of the documents and blamed past administrations for failing to classify China as an adversarial threat. Reuters
He characterized the collapse of the case as a consequence of previous policy — namely, that the prior Conservative government had not adopted a sufficiently firm legal stance on China’s security threat. Reuters+2Reuters+2
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer’s handling, accusing him of shifting blame and failing to hold the government to account. She argued that the government should clarify its own decisions rather than focusing on prior actions. Reuters
Legal and parliamentary committees are now expected to scrutinize the released documents. The CPS has reportedly no objection to their publication now that the case is closed. The Guardian+1
Whether government inaction or policy ambiguity prevented a satisfactory espionage prosecution
Whether the witness statements implicate institutional deliberations or political strategy
The balance between national security secrecy and public accountability
The broader diplomatic implications for UK-China relations, especially as the UK pursues “positive engagement” even while acknowledging espionage threats. Financial Times+1
