No 10 releases three China spy case witness statements

Evidence claims China conducts 'large-scale' UK espionage

- DAVID HUGHES, HELEN CORBETT & DAVID MADDOX POLITICAL EDITOR

Chinese intelligence services are carrying out "large-scale espionage" operations against the UK but the government is committed to a “positive relationship” with Beijing, deputy national security adviser Matt Collins said.

In a witness statement which ultimately contributed to the collapse of the China spy case, Mr Collins said the government sought to “strengthen understanding, cooperation and stability” in its relationship with Beijing.

Mr Collins provided three witness statements as part of the Crown Prosecution Service’s case, which was ultimately dropped when it was deemed the evidence did not show that China was a threat to national security.

Sir Keir Starmer announced at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday that No 10 would publish the statements made by Mr Collins as part of the case.

The Conservatives have been pressing ministers over their handling of the collapsed espionage trials of Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, a teacher.

Both men, who deny wrongdoing, had been accused of passing secrets to China, but charges against them were dropped last month.

In his final witness statement, dated 4 August this year, Mr Collins said: “The Chinese intelligence services are highly capable and conduct large-scale espionage operations against the UK to advance the Chinese state's interests and harm the interests and security of the UK.

"China's espionage operations threaten the UK's economic prosperity and resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions."

But in the concluding paragraph of his final statement, he said: "It is important for me to emphasise, however, that the UK Government is committed to pursuing a positive relationship with China to strengthen understanding, cooperation and stability.