Overview
- The Crown Prosecution Service withdrew charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry in September, saying the evidence would not secure a conviction under the 1911 Official Secrets Act.
- Testifying to MPs and peers, Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer condemned claims of ministerial interference as baseless and argued the outdated law was not fit for purpose.
- Hermer said the case was weakened because deputy national security adviser Matt Collins would not describe China as a 'threat' and because defence counsel could cite past Conservative ministers’ reluctance to use that label.
- He stated he played no role in dropping the prosecution, learned of the decision on September 3 from the DPP, and did not inform other ministers until police and defendants had been told.
- In a letter published by the committee, Lord Alex Carlile KC criticised DPP Stephen Parkinson’s judgment as incorrect, said there was ample evidence or an attempt charge available, and scrutiny of documents and decisions continues in Parliament.