Overview of the case and latest disclosures
The UK government published three witness statements on Wednesday related to the now-collapsed case against two men accused of spying for China. The statements, released by Downing Street, illuminate the government’s assessment of China’s espionage activities and the tension between security concerns and a bilateral economic relationship. The charges against the two suspects—Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry—were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) last month amid questions about the availability of evidence from government sources.
First statement: a warning from 2023
The earliest document, a December 2023 witness statement by Matthew Collins, described the Chinese Intelligence Services as highly capable and engaging in large-scale espionage against the UK and other international partners. Collins wrote that these actions were intended to advance the Chinese state’s interests and undermine the security of the UK. This warning came at a time when the Conservative government was in power.
Second and third statements: continuing assessment under a new government
A second statement, authored by Collins in February 2025, framed China as an authoritarian state with values differing from the UK’s. It underscored China as a major state-based threat to the UK’s economic security even as it acknowledged mutual benefits from bilateral trade and investment. A third statement, published in August 2025, reiterated the view that China’s espionage activities threaten the UK’s economic prosperity, resilience, and the integrity of democratic institutions. These later documents also emphasised that the government remained committed to pursuing a positive economic relationship with China.
Economic interests and security priorities
In the February 2025 statement, Collins emphasised the dual objective facing the UK: safeguard national security while engaging with international partners on trade and investment to grow the economy. He noted that China’s rise presents challenges for both the UK and its allies, but also highlighted the tangible economic links between the two countries. The August 2025 statement reinforced this stance, illustrating how security concerns coexist with ambitions to sustain and develop economic ties with China.
CPS decision and political reaction
The CPS’s decision to drop charges against Cash and Berry prompted significant political scrutiny. Officials have faced questions about whether the government’s public statements were sufficient for prosecutors to proceed. The government’s release of the statements appears aimed at clarifying its position and responding to accusations of a potential cover-up by opponents. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer indicated he would publish the deputy national security adviser’s statements, arguing for transparency in the face of the controversy sparked by the prosecutors’ decision.
What Collins said about specific allegations
Collins’ 2023 statement detailed allegations that Mr Berry was recruited by the Chinese state and directed to utilize Mr Cash, who worked with the Commons China Research Group (CRG). The document described exchanges suggesting the pair communicated about sensitive political developments, and it referenced information allegedly passed to a Chinese state agent. Cash has repeatedly maintained his innocence, stating he has not had a public trial to defend himself and arguing that the published statements omit crucial context that would be presented at trial.
Implications for policy and public trust
These disclosures occur as the UK seeks to balance security concerns with maintaining an open, rules-based relationship with China. Officials argue that a robust national security posture is compatible with a positive economic engagement strategy. Critics, however, question whether the government should publish sensitive intelligence assessments that could influence public perception during ongoing or future prosecutions. The episode underscores ongoing tensions over evidence, transparency, and the government’s handling of sensitive national security information.
Looking ahead
As Parliament weighs the implications, the government is likely to face continued pressure to publish further documents and provide clarity on the evidentiary basis for prosecutorial decisions. For now, the three statements serve to lay out the government’s long-standing concern about China’s espionage capabilities, while reaffirming a policy intent to pursue economic engagement with Beijing in a way that protects national security and democratic integrity.
