No outside pressure to drop China spying charges, says CPS head
Summary
The chief prosecutor for England and Wales stated that there was no outside influence in the decision to drop charges against two British men accused of spying for China. The charges were dismissed because the collected evidence did not meet the requirement to proceed to trial. The UK government expressed disappointment over the decision.Key Facts
- No outside pressure influenced the decision to drop the spying charges, according to the chief prosecutor.
- The two men accused were Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry.
- The charges related to providing harmful information to the state's safety between December 2021 and February 2023.
- The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) found the evidence insufficient for trial.
- The head of the CPS, Stephen Parkinson, confirmed that the decision was made independently.
- Accusations included having to prove China was an "enemy" under the Official Secrets Act 1911.
- A new law, the National Security Act 2023, has since changed espionage regulations.
- UK officials, including the Home Office and the prime minister's spokesman, were disappointed that the trial would not proceed.
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