US EditionGovernment accused of 'cover-up' over collapse of China spy trial
Prosecution dropped amid claims officials withheld documents proving China’s national security threat, raising concerns about UK-US intelligence cooperation, White House sources said.
- In the UK, a high-profile trial collapsed last month when charges against Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, a teacher, were dropped.
- Under the Official Secrets Act prosecutors must prove the defendants acted for an enemy, but Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said evidence was lacking after charges in April last year.
- The Sunday Times reported last week that Jonathan Powell, national security adviser to Sir Keir Starmer, cited the June strategy; ministers were warned the case might fall amid alleged withheld documents.
- Calls for transparency and parliamentary scrutiny followed as White House sources warned the failure to prosecute risks intelligence sharing, while Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader, demanded answers from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
- Sir John Sawers said he was 'confused' about the collapse, while critics questioned Britain's stance amid Chinese investment and the proposed embassy project in London.
18 Articles
18 Articles
UK government faces growing pressure over collapsed China spy case
LONDON: Britain's government vehemently denied on Monday (Oct 13) that it helped scupper a high-profile case involving two men accused of spying for China, as it comes under pressure over its stance towards Beijing.Charges against Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, were dropped last month, two y
UK Trial on Alleged Chinese Spies Collapses: What to Know
When the trial of two men accused of spying for China collapsed before it had even begun in London on Sept. 15, the news came out of the blue. But in the four weeks since, the case has become a political snowball, with allegations made in the British media that the UK government undermined the prosecution to avoid offending the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which is not officially defined as an “enemy.” The affair has also highlighted the diffi…
China poses threat to UK, minister says amid questions over spy case
Beijing’s threat to the UK includes in the arena of cybersecurity and its relationship with Russia, Hamish Falconer said. China does pose a threat to the UK, a Foreign Office minister has said, as the Government continues to face questions about the collapse of a major spying court case. Beijing’s threat to the UK includes in the arena of cybersecurity and its relationship with Russia, Hamish Falconer said. Charges against Christopher Cash, a fo…
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