Keir Starmer has released significant evidence related to a terminated espionage case involving China, unveiling the extent of Beijing’s large-scale spy operations.
The controversy emerged following the Crown Prosecution Service’s abrupt decision to drop charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, former parliamentary researchers accused of sharing confidential information with China, despite their denial of any misconduct.
In response to mounting pressure, three witness statements from the government’s deputy national security adviser, Matthew Collins, were made public on Wednesday. The initial statement, issued during the Conservative government in December 2023, characterized Beijing as a major challenge and highlighted the Chinese intelligence service’s proficient execution of extensive espionage activities within the UK.
Emphasizing potential risks to the UK’s interests and security, the statement indicated the government’s willingness to engage directly with China while advocating for constructive and transparent relations.
Subsequently, a second statement issued under the current Labour government this year underscored the challenges posed by the authoritarian regime, reiterating the government’s commitment to fostering a positive economic rapport with China.
In a third statement dated August 2025, Mr. Collins reiterated China’s challenging nature and highlighted the espionage threat posed by the country. The government’s stance, as reflected in the statement, emphasized a balanced approach of cooperation, competition, and confrontation with China, particularly concerning national security issues.
During a session of PMQs, Keir Starmer defended the evidence provided, aligning it with the Conservative government’s position on Beijing at the time of the alleged offenses. He expressed disappointment over the case’s dismissal and clarified that the previous government’s reviews were careful not to label China as an enemy but rather focused on enhancing national security measures and fostering constructive relations with China.
Starmer assured MPs that no ministers or special advisers from the current government were involved in providing evidence, highlighting a distinction from the previous administration’s practices.
Former aide to Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings, raised concerns about China compromising a Whitehall system used for sensitive data transmission across government channels. However, a Cabinet Office spokesperson dismissed these claims, asserting that the government’s systems for transferring highly classified information remained secure and uncompromised.