Keir Starmer has recently defended the government’s role in a significant Chinese spying case that was dropped last month. The case against Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry was unexpectedly dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service on September 15. Downing Street expressed disappointment with the decision at the time.
To prosecute the case under the Official Secrets Act, prosecutors needed to demonstrate that the defendants were acting on behalf of an “enemy.” Keir Starmer, on Tuesday, reiterated the government’s stance, emphasizing that the classification of China as a threat would have been determined during the Tory administration in 2023, the time of the alleged offense.
During a trip to India, Starmer clarified, “The designation in 2023 is crucial, as that is when the offense occurred and the relevant period. Statements were made based on the government’s policy at the time and have not been altered since. It is important to note that the designation at the time is what matters, and you cannot prosecute someone for a designation that did not exist then.”
When asked if he was briefed on the government’s perspective, Starmer affirmed that he was being kept informed as expected. This follows a letter from Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, to senior MPs regarding the case involving Cash and Berry. Parkinson supported the CPS’s decision to charge the individuals under the 1911 Official Secrets Act in April 2024.
Parkinson explained that a subsequent High Court ruling expanded the definition of “enemy” to include a country posing a threat to the UK’s national security at the time of the offense. Despite efforts to gather evidence over several months, it became apparent by late August 2025 that the necessary evidence linking China to a threat to national security was not forthcoming, leading to the case’s collapse.
No. 10 Downing Street refuted claims that government interference led to the case’s dismissal earlier this week. Both Cash and Berry have denied any wrongdoing.