"Systemic failures that led to the collapse of a China spy trial could be repeated without major reforms, a committee of MPs has warned. A report by the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy said "shambolic" mismanagement led to prosecutors dropping charges against Chris Cash and Chris Berry, who were accused of passing sensitive material to a Chinese intelligence agent."
"The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the case collapsed after deputy national security adviser (DNSA) Matthew Collins refused to designate China an "enemy" at the time of the alleged offences. But the committee of MPs said they were "surprised" by the CPS's decision, suggesting it could have been "put before the jury". The committee found there was no "co-ordinated high-level effort" to collapse or obstruct the trial."
"Committee chair Matt Western warned mishandling similar future cases will "corrode public trust". Mr Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and China-based academic Mr Berry, were both charged under the Official Secrets Act in April 2024. Mr Cash worked for two prominent critics of China, the MPs Tom Tugendhat, then chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Alicia Kearns, who later held the same role."
The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy found shambolic mismanagement led to prosecutors dropping charges against Chris Cash and Chris Berry, accused of passing sensitive material to a Chinese intelligence agent. Both men deny wrongdoing. The Crown Prosecution Service attributed collapse to deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins refusing to designate China an "enemy" at the relevant time, but MPs said they were surprised and suggested matters could have been put before a jury. The committee found no coordinated high‑level effort to obstruct the trial. Communications between the CPS and government were inadequate, an eight‑month witness‑statement delay remains unexplained, and future trials could face similar risks.
Read at www.bbc.com
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