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8h ago

Starmer Denies Minister Role in China Spy Case Collapse as Senior Officials Challenge Explanation

The terrorism laws watchdog is investigating the CPS claim that required testimony defining China as a threat at the time was not supplied.

Chris Cash, a parliamentary aide, arriving at the Old Bailey on Saturday
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 18: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of China, at the Sheraton Hotel, as he attends the G20 summit in on November 18, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Keir Starmer is attending his first G20 Summit since he was elected Prime Minister of the UK. He is expected to hold talks with President Xi Jinping of China, the first time a UK PM has done so for six years. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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Christopher Berry, left, and Christopher Cash, right, were declared not guilty last month when the case collapsed

Overview

  • Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson told MPs the CPS sought for months a witness statement saying China was a national security threat during 2021–23 but none was provided, leading to the case being dropped in September.
  • Keir Starmer maintains evidence must reflect the position at the time under the previous Conservative government and says no ministers in his administration were involved in decisions on what evidence was given.
  • Former cabinet secretaries Simon Case and Mark Sedwill argue China was plainly a threat based on years of public intelligence assessments, questioning why the prosecution failed on that basis.
  • Reports detail pre-collapse meetings involving national security adviser Jonathan Powell and senior officials about the government’s stance, while Downing Street denies any interference.
  • Scrutiny is mounting as Jonathan Hall KC describes the public explanation as inadequate and legal experts challenge the idea that a formal ‘enemy’ designation was legally required.