Keir Starmer defended the government’s role in a recent high-profile Chinese spying case that was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service last month. The case involved Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry.
To prosecute under the Official Secrets Act, it was crucial to establish that the defendants were working for an “enemy.” Starmer, addressing concerns, emphasized that any decision to label China as a threat would have been made under the previous administration.
He clarified that the relevant designation in 2023 was pivotal since the offense occurred during that period. The statements made at that time were aligned with government policy and could not be altered retroactively.
Regarding his awareness of the case from the government’s perspective, Starmer confirmed he was regularly briefed on the matter.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, informed senior MPs about the case details. The decision to charge the individuals under the 1911 Official Secrets Act was based on the understanding that an “enemy” included a country posing a national security threat at the time of the offense.
Despite efforts to gather evidence over several months, the lack of conclusive statements indicating China as a threat to national security led to the case’s collapse.
Both Cash and Berry have denied any involvement in the alleged wrongdoing.
Earlier statements alleging government interference in the case’s outcome were refuted by No10.
At Reach and its affiliated entities, data collected through cookies is used to enhance site experience and deliver personalized ads. Users can opt out of data sharing/selling by clicking on the respective button on the webpage. Acceptance of cookies and adherence to privacy practices detailed in the Privacy Notice and Cookie Policy are implied by website use.