Summary

  • Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald, and Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins, face questions from MPs about the sudden collapse of a case against two men accused of spying for China - watch live at the top of this page

  • The committee of MPs has also been grilling Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson about why the charges were dropped in September

  • Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were both charged under the Official Secrets Act 1911 but the case collapsed weeks before trial

  • Parkinson previously said charges were withdrawn because a top national security official could not say China had been classed as an "enemy" when the Conservatives were in power

  • Downing Street insists the decision to drop charges was made by the Crown Prosecution Service, with no minister, member of government or special adviser involved

  • China's embassy in London dismisses the case as "pure fabrication" and urges the UK to "stop hyping up anti-China narratives"

Live Reporting

  1. Parkinson explains why case was dropped after top official would not call China an 'enemy'

    Split pic of Christopher Berry (left) and former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash. Both men are wearing suits with white shirts.PA Media

    Christopher Berry (left) and Christopher Cash (right)

    One of the core elements to prove with the charges against Cash and Berry, under the Official Secrets Act 1911, would have centred on convincing a jury that the UK government had considered China as an "enemy" between 2021 and 2023, when the alleged offending occurred.

    The prosecution case at the time planned to rely on evidence from Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Collins. Prosecutors believed at the time that proving China was an active or current threat to national security would meet the "enemy requirement".

    A statement Collins produced went into detail about the activities of Chinese intelligence agencies. But the word "enemy" was removed in the final version.

    Then, in July 2024, a Court of Appeal ruling for a separate case underlined the need to provide a jury with a factual account of why a state could be considered an enemy under the Official Secrets Act 1911.

    Parkinson explains that this ruling meant they returned to Collins for more evidence on China in relation to the time period covered by the charges.

    However, a meeting followed in which, according to Parkinson’s letter, Collins said he "would not answer the question, if asked, whether China is an enemy within the meaning of the Official Secrets Act".

    The decision was "fatal to the case", Parkinson says.

  2. Key dates in the collapse of the China spy case

    Here's a quick reminder of some of the key dates during the Crown Prosecution Service's decision-making, which led to them dropping the charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry.

    • 31 December 2021 - 3 February 2023: The time period covered by the charges, during which Cash and Berry were alleged to have passed information to a Chinese intelligence agent
    • April 2024: Charges issued against Cash and Berry under the Official Secrets Act 1911
    • July 2024: Court of Appeal ruling on the legal definition of "enemy", in a separate case concerning Russian interference in the UK. It underlined the need to provide a jury with a factual account of why a state could be considered an enemy under the Official Secrets Act
    • August 2025: Collins told the prosecution team he would not state in evidence that China posed a risk to our national security at the material time, either in open Court or in a private session, according to a letter from Parkinson
    • September 2025: In a further meeting, Collins reiterated that he would not say China was an active threat during the relevant time
    • 15 September 2025: Charges are dropped against Cash and Berry

  3. Chief prosecutor gives evidence on China spy case collapse

    Stephen Parkinson to the right of the frame wearing a dark suit and blue tie. Behind him is a panel with the symbol of the Crown Prosecution Service (a simplified white scale on blue background, CPS written below the base)PA Media

    Stephen Parkinson is set to address the committee from 16:30 GMT

    The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy will hold its first public evidence session today, looking into prosecutors’ decision to drop charges against two men accused of spying for China.

    Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry had been charged under the Official Secrets Act 1911. Both men deny any wrongdoing.

    Senior officials will address the parliamentary committee throughout this week, explaining their decision-making.

    First, we’ll hear from Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions. He’ll address the committee at 16:30 GMT.

    Then, at 17:30, we’ll hear from Sir Chris Wormald, the cabinet secretary, and Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser.

    We won't be providing regular text updates here, but you'll be able to follow proceedings with the Watch Live button at the top of this page.