Spy Case Collapse Linked to UK Government’s Approach to China
LONDON – The collapse of a high-profile espionage case against Christopher Berry, a parliamentary researcher accused of spying for china, is being attributed to a failure by the UK government to definitively classify China as a hostile state, according to reports adn statements from key figures. The trial, set to begin shortly, unexpectedly fell apart last week.
Ken McCallum, head of MI5, has previously stated there has been a “sustained campaign” of Chinese espionage on a “pretty epic scale.” A July 2023 report by parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee further detailed China’s penetration of “every sector” of the UK’s economy.
Dominic Grieve, former chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee and former attorney general, suggested a critical oversight occurred during the prosecution’s preparation. He told the BBC it appeared “somebody just missed something,” noting that at the time the case commenced, there ”needed to be focus on whether China was going to be described as an enemy or not.” Grieve added,”It may matter less how you describe it in official government documents if you are prepared to put the evidence forward at a court case to explain why a country in fact constitutes an enemy status.” He believes a “muddle” existed, resulting in a failure to adequately prepare for the evidentiary requirements of the court.
Former BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera described the trial’s collapse as “extraordinary,” stating,”There had been a lot of expectation around the case. I think the expectation was there would be fireworks.” He suggested the outcome doesn’t dispel the idea that “the government didn’t want fireworks around China.”
the Sunday times reported that senior Whitehall officials discussed the trial early last month before the charges were dropped. Number 10’s press secretary has denied allegations that the government withheld evidence, withdrew witnesses, or restricted evidence presentation.
Since last year’s general election, the Labor government has signaled an intent to recalibrate the UK-China relationship, initiating a cross-whitehall “audit” of the partnership. In October 2024, Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited China – only the second such visit in six years – stating that Beijing and London should “find pragmatic solutions to complex challenges.”
UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, a close ally of Sir Keir Starmer, also visited China in July. While the UK government did not announce the trip,the Chinese government publicized a meeting between Powell and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi,stating Powell had “expressed Britain’s willingness to enhance dialogue and communication with China to build a stable,practical and long-term partnership.”
