Particle.news
Download on the App Store
14 ARTICLES
·
3h ago

Pressure Mounts Over Collapsed China Spy Case as Home Secretary Denies Interference

A disputed legal hurdle under the Official Secrets Act—proving information aided an “enemy”—and reports that officials would not label China as such have intensified calls for transparency.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The Crown Prosecution Service halted the case on September 15, saying evidence against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry no longer met the evidential test, and both men deny wrongdoing.
  • The Sunday Times and other outlets report national security adviser Jonathan Powell convened officials and indicated evidence would rely on the 2025 strategy that calls China a challenge rather than an enemy, a claim the Cabinet Office rejects as false.
  • Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said there was no ministerial involvement, stated she was very disappointed the trial did not proceed, and described China as a challenge rather than an enemy.
  • The Times reports ministers have blocked Powell from appearing before the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, prompting accusations of treating parliament with contempt and fresh demands for his testimony.
  • Government spokespeople maintain the CPS acted independently and say there was no material change in government evidence, while MPs including Alicia Kearns and Iain Duncan Smith demand an explanation for the prosecution’s collapse.