'Espionage' in the UK: State of the nation

The Cash and Berry case highlights espionage risk and UK political disputes.

- ANTONIA FILMER

Christopher Berry (left) and Christopher Cash (right)

The situation between the Crown prosecution Service (CPS) and No10 over whether or not Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were spies for Chinese Communist Party continues to consume the headlines and the public interest.

The pair met in 2015 whilst teaching for the British Council in Hangzhou both deny the charge under the Official Secrets Act 1911. Berry remained teaching in various posts in China and Cash moved to Westminster as lead parliamentary researcher for the China Research Group, a Tory grouping of MPs of that time chaired by Tom Tugendhat, with a committee which consisted of Dehenna Davison, Anthony Browne, Laura Trott, Kevin Hollinrake, Alicia Kearns, Andrew Bowie and Damian Green. The allegations centre around Cash allegedly supplying useful information to Berry that may have found its way into reports that may have been useful to Cai Chi, thought to be President Xi’s Chief of Staff. The trial imploded last week when it seems there was not enough evidence from Matthew Collins the Deputy National Security advisor to provide Stephen Parkinson Chief Prosecutor with, that in 2023 China was a threat to UK national security.