UK Government Releases Evidence in Failed China Espionage Case Amid Political Controversy

The UK government has released evidence submitted in the now-abandoned legal proceedings against two individuals accused of Chinese espionage, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer attempts to address controversy surrounding the failed case.

Starmer's administration has been accused of abandoning the prosecution to preserve relations with China, leading to tension between the Labour government and independent prosecutors regarding the case's collapse.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the case failed because government evidence did not adequately demonstrate China posed a national security threat during the alleged espionage activities.

Starmer, who previously served as chief state prosecutor, explained that the government could only present evidence from the period of the alleged offenses, which occurred between 2021 and 2023 under Conservative leadership.

Earlier on Wednesday, Starmer informed Parliament he would release "in full" three statements prepared by deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins for prosecutors, which were subsequently published online.

In Collins' most recent statement from August 2025, he described Chinese intelligence services as "highly capable," noting they "conduct large scale espionage operations against the UK to advance the Chinese state's interests and harm the interests and security of the UK."

Collins further stated, "Chinese espionage operations threaten the UK's economic prosperity and resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions."

The Conservative opposition criticized the disclosure as insufficient, with a spokesperson stating: "It is disappointing that it has taken significant pressure... to force this weak prime minister to publish this limited information -- which falls short of what was requested."

The spokesperson added, "The China files must now be published in full and without delay. Until that time, the stench of scandal will hang around this government."

Starmer denied Conservative claims that officials privately advocated dropping charges over concerns that prosecution might cause China to withdraw UK investments, asserting: "Under this government, no minister or special adviser played any role in the provision of evidence."

Charges against Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, were dismissed last month, two years after their arrest for allegedly collecting information that could be "useful to an enemy." Both had maintained their innocence.

Starmer expressed being "deeply disappointed by the outcome" to lawmakers, emphasizing, "We wanted to see prosecutions."

The Prime Minister has been working to improve UK-China relations, becoming the first British leader in six years to meet with President Xi Jinping last year.

His government seeks Chinese investment to boost a struggling economy and is considering whether to permit Beijing to construct a large new embassy in London, which has raised concerns among local residents and human rights advocates.