Jonathan Powell had no role in dropping of China spy case, senior minister says

"According to reports, the cases against Christopher Cash, a parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, a researcher based in China, were dropped after Powell said China would not be described as an enemy in any trial considered necessary for a successful prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. Cash and Berry deny accusations that they provided information about Westminster to China's politburo."

"Appearing on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show, Phillipson was asked why the case had lapsed. She said: Obviously, the Crown Prosecution Service are best placed to explain why they were not able to bring forward a prosecution, but what I can be absolutely clear about is that ministers and others, including the national security adviser, had no role to play in either the substance of the case or the evidence in question."

Jonathan Powell was said to have no connection to discussions about the substance or evidence in the dropped prosecution of two British men accused of spying for China. Bridget Phillipson stated that ministers and the national security adviser played no role in the case and that the Crown Prosecution Service are best placed to explain why a prosecution could not proceed. Reports say the cases lapsed after Powell indicated China would not be described as an enemy in any trial, while the accused deny providing information to China's politburo. The updated national security strategy labels China a geostrategic challenge rather than an enemy.

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