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Starmer blames Tories for China spy trial being dropped

Starmer blames the previous Conservative government for failing to label China a threat, causing the collapse of a spy trial due to insufficient evidence, CPS said.

  • On September 15, Sir Keir Starmer sought to blame the previous Tory administration for the CPS dropping the case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry.
  • DPP Stephen Parkinson said the Crown Prosecution Service tried `over many months` to secure evidence not forthcoming after a High Court ruling raised the threshold for spying prosecutions.
  • Minister Emma Hardy said the government did not apply pressure, was `incredibly disappointed`, and called China a `challenge` given the large trading relationship.
  • The Conservatives have demanded the Prime Minister explain himself to Parliament, and MPs will apply for an urgent question on Monday.
  • Former CPS figures including Nick Vamos said the DPP's explanation `still doesn't add up`, suggesting prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence or misunderstood what they needed to prove.
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The Independent broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
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