UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MP Stephen Kinnock demands answers from DPP after CPS drops China spy trial, criticizing the government’s handling of the case.
As reported by The Guardian, Stephen Kinnock said the director of public prosecutions must clarify why the China spy trial could not proceed following Number 10’s release of key evidence.
What did Stephen Kinnock say about CPS dropping the China spy trial?
Stephen Kinnock expressed disappointment that the prosecution did not proceed, urging Stephen Parkinson to clarify why the CPS found the evidence insufficient.
His remarks, supported by Tory MP Alicia Kearns, increased pressure on the CPS after the trial was suddenly abandoned last month.
The CPS dropped allegations against Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and teacher Christopher Berry, citing insufficient evidence that China posed a national security threat. Both men deny the claims.
When asked if the CPS was at fault, Mr Kinnock responded,
“I believe the DPP told MPs yesterday that he felt the evidence was 95% of the way there, but there was a 5% gap that was missing. I think he’s the best person to explain what that 5% that was missing was.”
He said accusations against Labour were “patently nonsense,” blaming the previous government for failing to amend legislation.
What did Alicia Kearns say about CPS dropping the China spy trial?
Alicia Kearns plans to question Stephen Parkinson on why CPS did not proceed with the trial.
She said,
“In my view the CPS should have proceeded with this and that’s a discussion I will have with the DPP when I see him today for the first time.”
Ms Kearns added that
“when the government was informed the case was at risk they had a duty to take action.”
What did Matthew Collins reveal about China’s espionage against the UK?
Ministers released three witness statements from Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins after allegations of trial interference to protect UK-China ties.
According to Mr Collins’ 2023 and 2025 reports, Chinese intelligence carried out large-scale espionage threatening UK security, economy, and democratic institutions.
The evidence names a mysterious figure, “Alex,” reportedly Christopher Berry’s handler. The SO15 counter-terrorism unit identified him and alleged he worked for the Chinese government.
Mr Collins’ statement revealed that “Alex” tasked Mr Berry with gathering details and analysis of the UK political system. It reveals that some information Mr Cash passed to Mr Berry and then to “Alex” was also held by a senior CCP leader.
The witness statement alleges that in July 2022, Mr Berry met a senior CCP leader in Hangzhou, with Mr Cash warning via voice note, “You’re in spy territory now.”
The document claims Mr Cash briefed Mr Berry on the Tory leadership race, saying MP Tom Tugendhat was expected to get a ministerial role.
Mr Berry reportedly passed the information to “Alex”, indicating Tugendhat’s position would gain his support on foreign policy. Mr Cash warned Berry it was “off the record” and should not be disclosed to his “Zhejiang contact.”
Mr Collins said Mr Berry reported that Alex and a senior CCP official were “closely watching how UK political roles might influence China policy.”
He stated,
“Their interest was so much so that the senior CCP leader was asking specific questions about each MP within the Conservative leadership election one by one.”
He added that details of a possible promotion for Mr Tugendhat,
“a department that has a significant role in shaping the UK’s China Policy would have allowed China to ascertain the possible direction of the UK government, particularly on China-related issues.”
Mr Cash described his situation as “impossible” in an official statement.
He added,
“I have not had the daylight of a public trial to show my innocence, and I should not have to take part in a trial by media. The statements that have been made public are completely devoid of the context that would have been given at trial. Furthermore, the assessments of the information shared would have been subject to a root and branch challenge. Those assessments would not have withstood the scrutiny of a public trial.”
Dominic Cummings’ claim about the China breach
Dominic Cummings, former chief adviser to ex-PM Boris Johnson, said in 2020 he and the prime minister were briefed that China had breached highly sensitive Strap systems, information never before made public.
Ministers and cybersecurity heads reject claims that critical government information was compromised.
What did Ciaran Martin say about the 2020 claims of China breaching UK systems?
Ciaran Martin, former head of the National Cyber Security Centre, said in a statement that it was
“categorically untrue that in 2020 briefings were given to the effect that the Chinese state had compromised the bespoke systems used for circulating Strap and other highly classified state secrets.”
Mr Martin added that both 2020 cabinet secretaries rejected receiving or passing on any information about Chinese interference in UK systems to Boris Johnson or his chief adviser.
What did Sir Keir’s spokesman say about the warning of the trial’s collapse?
Sir Keir’s spokesman acknowledged he learned of the trial’s potential collapse a few days beforehand.
He added,
“The Prime Minister was made aware of the possibility of the trial not proceeding just a couple of days before the court was informed.”
Key details about the China spy case
In the UK, two men were charged under the 1911 Official Secrets Act in 2024 for passing sensitive political information to China. The trial collapsed due to evidence gaps.
In 2023, Taiwan uncovered a spy ring leaking military secrets to China for financial gain. Both cases highlight the challenge of enforcing intelligence laws.