A damning parliamentary report has concluded that 'shambolic' decisions and processes within Whitehall led to the collapse of the high-profile prosecution of two alleged Chinese spies. The investigation lays bare serious failures in communication and coordination between government officials and prosecutors.
Systemic Failures and 'Questionable' Decisions
The report from Parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy states the case against former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and academic Christopher Berry fell apart due to 'confusion and misaligned expectations'. Both men deny all allegations. The blame is placed on 'questionable' decisions made by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and intelligence officials, exacerbated by a 'continued lack of clarity on China policy' across both the current Labour and previous Conservative governments.
Committee chair Matt Western, the Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington, highlighted specific problems. These included delays in the deputy national security adviser providing a second witness statement and unclear communications between Whitehall officials over evidence. However, Western stated the committee found no evidence of a 'co-ordinated effort to collapse or obstruct the prosecution'.
Frustration and Disappointment at the Highest Levels
The collapse of the case caused significant frustration among senior figures. These included Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, MI5 chief Ken McCallum, and several MPs. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'deeply disappointed' by the CPS's decision to drop the charges.
CPS chief Stephen Parkinson defended the move, stating the case was dropped after trying for 'over many months' to get further evidence from government officials on China's threat level. This justification has been criticised by some observers. The report itself expressed surprise that the CPS did not proceed, noting there was considered to be enough evidence for a prosecution.
Broader Implications for National Security
The report warns that the problems are systemic, not merely due to outdated laws. It cites poor communication between the civil service and the CPS, weak guidance on their relationship, and evidence delays as creating a 'disorderly process'. Matt Western warned: 'As the global security environment worsens, sensitive national security cases will arise more frequently. The government must show the public that it is confident in standing up to adversaries when required.'
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel called the report a 'damning indictment', accusing Labour of trying to blame the Conservatives and warning that 'there could be many more such cases'.
The fallout coincides with ongoing security concerns over China, including a delayed decision on Beijing's proposed new 'mega embassy' near the Tower of London. The decision is now expected in January, coinciding with a planned visit by Keir Starmer to China. Security experts and City of London officials have labelled concerns about the embassy's location near key data cables as 'legitimate'.
