You're in spy territory now

Witness statements shed fresh light on the China spy case, alleging the accused men communicated with each other

- By MILLIE COOKE POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

The government has published witness statements in the now-collapsed case against two men accused of spying for China, following an extraordinary row over the saga.

Three statements provided by deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins as part of the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) case, which repeatedly describe China as a threat, were published as part of an attempt to draw a line under growing questions about the government's evidence.

The statements came after the CPS dropped the case, deeming the evidence did not show China was a threat to national security.

But the evidence also reveals extraordinary new details about the allegations - including that one alleged China spy told another: "You're in spy territory now." Mr Collins also alleges in his statement that information was leaked to China about the Tory leadership race.

'You're in spy territory now'

One witness statement, shared with the CPS in 2023, alleges that Beijing recruited Christopher Berry, one of the alleged spies, to use Christopher Cash as a "sub-source with access to the China Research group, the parliamentary estate and to at least two senior Members of Parliament". Both Mr Cash and Mr Berry have denied all wrongdoing.

The evidence also identifies a mysterious figure called "Alex", who was said to be Mr Berry's handler. The file says he was identified by the Metropolitan Police's SO15 counterterrorism unit and was alleged to be an agent of the Chinese state.