Rishi Sunak only politician to see witness statement in China spy case

"Rishi Sunak was the only politician to see a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser at the centre of controversy about the collapse of a case against two British men accused of spying for China. According to letters sent to the joint committee on the national security strategy, the statement from Matthew Collins in December 2023, which was seen by the then prime minister and his advisers, did not describe China as an enemy, another key element of the case."

"The case against the men, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, was dropped in September after prosecutors concluded that a conviction under the Official Secrets Act was not realistic without government evidence China posed a threat to the UK's national security. Both Cash and Clark have consistently denied any wrongdoing. The Conservatives have repeatedly challenged Keir Starmer about what he and his advisers knew about the case, and whether the prime minister or others intervened so as to avoid a potential row with China."

Rishi Sunak alone viewed a December 2023 witness statement by deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins. Collins removed language describing China as an enemy because it did not reflect government policy. Police and prosecutors were informed that Collins would not call China an enemy. Prosecutors dropped the case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry in September, concluding a conviction under the Official Secrets Act was unrealistic without government evidence that China posed a security threat. Both accused have denied wrongdoing. Conservatives questioned potential intervention by Keir Starmer, but letters show no politicians were involved once the formal prosecution began.

Read at www.theguardian.com