Chinese intelligence services are conducting "large scale espionage" operations against the UK, a senior security official has revealed in witness statements that contributed to the collapse of a major spy case. Deputy national security adviser Matt Collins made the assessment despite the Government seeking a "positive relationship" with Beijing.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges last month against Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry after concluding the evidence did not show China was a threat to national security. Both men deny wrongdoing and had been accused of passing secrets to China.
Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) announced the publication of Collins' witness statements at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday following Conservative pressure over the case's handling.
Security assessment details
Collins said in his final witness statement dated 4th August: "The Chinese intelligence services are highly capable and conduct large scale espionage operations against the UK to advance the Chinese state's interests and harm the interests and security of the UK." He added that China's operations "threaten the UK's economic prosperity and resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions."
However, Collins concluded his statement by emphasising the Government's commitment to "pursuing a positive relationship with China to strengthen understanding, co-operation and stability." He outlined the policy of "co-operate where we can; compete where we need to; and challenge where we must, including on issues of national security."
Political controversy emerges
Conservative MPs questioned why the witness statement reflected current Labour policy rather than the previous Conservative government's position. Neil O'Brien (Conservative) asked: "So why does the third witness statement from the 4th of August talk about the policy of the present Labour government, in the present tense?"
Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, posted on social media: "If ALL that mattered was the policy of the PREVIOUS government, why would the CURRENT government's 'three C's' China policy be included? Doesn't make sense."
Director of public prosecutions Stephen Parkinson explained that a High Court decision weeks after charges were brought in April 2024 had changed the evidence threshold. He said efforts to obtain further evidence over months failed to establish that "China represented a threat to national security" at the time of the alleged offences.
Opposition demands full disclosure
Conservative Party sources said the publication "falls short" of their requests and demanded the "China files" be published in full. A spokesman said: "There are still many unanswered questions about this scandal - from the role of the national security adviser to the potential involvement or knowledge of ministers."
The Liberal Democrats called for a statutory inquiry. Foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller said: "These witness statements are only part of the puzzle and raise yet more unanswered questions."
Cash said Wednesday night: "I wish to reiterate that I am completely innocent. Not just because the case against me was dropped, but because at no point did I ever intentionally assist Chinese intelligence." He added he had been "placed in an impossible position" without "the daylight of a public trial to show my innocence."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
