LONDON, October 16, 2025 — Britain has released evidence of extensive Chinese espionage operations that, according to the government, posed a serious threat to the nation’s security and economy, reports The WP Times citing Politico. A senior British government official involved in a failed espionage case that sparked a heated political debate in Westminster said that Chinese intelligence services had conducted “large-scale spying operations” that endangered both the economy and the security of the United Kingdom.
Matthew Collins, the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser, stated in written testimony that the alleged activities of two men accused of spying for China “damage the security or interests of the United Kingdom,” and that the “information and materials” they passed on would be “directly or indirectly useful” to the Chinese state.
Collins also told prosecutors that Britain seeks to maintain “positive relations with China to foster mutual understanding, cooperation, and stability,” according to documents released in response to growing criticism of the government’s handling of the case.
Details of the espionage case
The suspects, 30-year-old Christopher Cash, a former researcher for a Conservative MP, and 33-year-old teacher Christopher Berry, deny accusations that they passed confidential information to a suspected Chinese intelligence agent between 2021 and 2023.
The Crown Prosecution Service unexpectedly dropped the charges against them last month, triggering a wave of political backlash.
The Director of Public Prosecutions said the case had been closed because the government failed to provide the necessary evidence, even though it has labelled China a national security threat.
Opposition Conservatives, who were in power when the men were charged in April 2024, accused the current Labour government of being “too weak to stand up to Beijing on a key national security issue.”
Earlier this autumn, the British intelligence service MI6 published its first-ever guidance for MPs on protecting themselves against espionage and foreign interference.
In previous years, Britain had repeatedly detained Russian spies, including diplomats who managed to enter restricted parts of Parliament during a tour. It was also revealed that MI6 has launched its own darknet recruitment portal, Silent Courier, designed to attract potential agents from Russia.
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