A key witness in a high-profile UK spy case has publicly claimed that China was conducting “large scale espionage” against the UK — raising fresh scrutiny of why the case ultimately collapsed. The revelation places renewed pressure on the government and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to explain their handling of the prosecution.
In witness statements now published by order of the Prime Minister, Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins asserts that Chinese intelligence agencies carry out broad espionage operations targeting the UK. He warns that Beijing “presents the biggest state-based threat to the country’s economic security.” The statements appear to conflict with the CPS decision to drop charges against two alleged spies, on the basis that the evidence did not legally establish China as a threat to national security.
Why the Case Collapsed
The CPS withdrew its prosecution after determining that the evidence did not meet the threshold required under the Official Secrets Act — specifically, that China had to be shown to be a national security threat at the time of the alleged offenses. The Director of Public Prosecutions later told MPs the case failed for lack of clarity from government officials on labeling China a threat. Critics, including MPs, argue that Collins’s statements were sufficient to proceed.
Parliamentary Inquiry Demanded
In response to the controversy, a formal inquiry will be launched by the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy. Labour MP Matt Western, committee chair, pressed ministers for full transparency and access to officials. The government has pledged cooperation. Conservative MPs, by contrast, argue the case was abandoned to avoid damaging trade relations with China — a claim officials deny.
Political Fallout & Accusations of Interference
Conservative critics point to wording in Collins’s third statement that mirrors Labour’s election manifesto, suggesting possible political interference. They argue that the government’s reluctance to designate China a threat reflects a softened diplomatic stance. The CPS head, Stephen Parkinson, is also in the spotlight, with critics questioning whether there was sufficient evidence for the case to go to a jury.
Responses From Accused & China
Christopher Cash, one of the accused, said he had been placed in an “impossible position” without the benefit of a public trial, and criticized the statements released as lacking contextual nuance that would have been evident at trial. Berry, the co-defendant, has not issued a public response. In Beijing, China’s foreign ministry rejected the narrative as “vilifying China” and dismissed allegations of espionage.
Recent Developments & Wider Security Context
The collapse of this case arrives amid a growing consensus within UK security circles that China’s intelligence operations pose serious threats to economic, diplomatic, and technological interests. MI5 Director General Ken McCallum has publicly lamented the missed opportunity to prosecute and declared that Chinese state actors pose daily risks to UK security. Meanwhile, legal experts and former prosecutors have argued that Collins’s evidence was “more than adequate” to bring the case forward.
This episode now raises deeper questions about the interplay between diplomacy, economic engagement, and national security in the UK’s approach to China.
