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6h ago

Starmer Rejects Ministerial Role as Pressure Mounts Over UK China Spy Case Collapse

Prosecutors say the case failed for lack of a government statement that China met the court‑defined 'threat' test for the period of the alleged offences.

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 that China was a national security threat at the time, but none was provided and the case was dropped on 15 September.
  • Keir Starmer, speaking on a visit to India, said no ministers were involved and argued any evidence had to reflect the previous Conservative government’s position during 2021–2023.
  • Former cabinet secretaries Simon Case and Mark Sedwill publicly questioned that rationale, noting intelligence leaders had long described China as a threat and saying they were puzzled the trial fell apart on that basis.
  • Independent terrorism watchdog Jonathan Hall KC said he is investigating, called the public explanation inadequate, and stated that China is a threat to UK national security.
  • Reports point to senior Whitehall discussions involving national security adviser Jonathan Powell before the collapse; Downing Street denies interference, and the Chinese Embassy rejects the spying allegations as fabricated.