UK CPS says no outside pressure in dropping China spying charges against two men

Britain's Crown Prosecution Service has dropped the charges against two British men accused of spying for China, saying there was no outside pressure influencing the decision. Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions who leads the CPS, said prosecutors had considered alternative offences but concluded none were suitable. The men, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, were alleged to have gathered and provided information prejudicial to the safety and interests of the state between 28 December 2021 and 3 February 2023. The case was dropped on Monday at the Old Bailey, and the men were due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court from 6 October. Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Berry, a teacher, had denied the allegations.

Parkinson's comments, made in a letter to shadow home secretary Chris Philp, stressed that the independence of the CPS was "completely respected within Whitehall and government" and that he could give his "own assurance" there had been no outside pressure. He explained that to secure a conviction under the existing law would require proving that a person, for any purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state, communicated information to another person which could be, or was intended to be, useful to an enemy. He noted that the Official Secrets Act 1911 has been superseded to some extent by the National Security Act 2023, which contains broader provisions to address espionage and those acting on behalf of foreign powers.

The image below shows the context in which the CPS explained its decision.

Reaction to the decision was swift and bipartisan. The Home Office and the prime minister's official spokesman said it was extremely disappointing that the individuals would not face trial. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said he was extremely disappointed and that the government remained gravely concerned about the threat of Chinese espionage.

In the Commons, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle voiced frustration: "I am a very unhappy speaker with what has happened. The fact that it has taken two years, until today, for somebody to withdraw this case is not good enough." The episode drew criticism from Beijing, which called the charges "malicious slander" against Chinese nationals and representations, underscoring the broader tensions surrounding allegations of espionage tied to China.

Officials emphasized the timeline of the case and the decision not to proceed to trial, noting that no finding of guilt was ever made in court. The CPS described its decision as rooted in the evidentiary threshold required to bring a case to trial, and it highlighted the life cycle of this matter within a framework that has evolved with new national security laws. The National Security Act 2023 expanded provisions to address espionage and activities on behalf of foreign powers, reflecting a broader government emphasis on counterintelligence while reaffirming the CPS's obligation to base charging decisions on evidence that meets legal standards.

The Cash and Berry case has become one of the most prominent recent flashpoints in Britain’s handling of alleged foreign interference, drawing comment from political figures across the spectrum and heightening scrutiny of how prosecutors balance national security concerns with civil liberties. While prosecutors stressed the independence of their decision-making, the episode has already shaped political rhetoric on China policy ahead of broader debates about espionage, security, and Parliament’s oversight of intelligence matters. The government has warned that threats from foreign intelligence services persist, and it continues to pursue protective measures through legislation, policing, and coordinated international efforts.