A parliamentary inquiry has delivered a scathing verdict on the collapse of a high-profile espionage case, describing the process as 'shambolic' and raising serious questions about the decision to drop the prosecution.
A 'Car Crash' of Systemic Failures
The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS) found that the case against former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash, 30, and teacher Christopher Berry, 33, was beset by 'systemic failures and deficiencies in communications, co-ordination and decision-making'. The men had been accused of passing secrets to Beijing between 2021 and 2023 before charges were dropped in September.
The committee's damning report painted a picture of a process 'like a car crash', marked by confusion and misaligned expectations between the Government and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It concluded these failures led to a 'crisis in public confidence' and fuelled allegations of a conspiracy within government, which the inquiry found no evidence to support.
The 'Fatal' Evidence Gap
At the heart of the case's collapse was a crucial evidence shortfall. The CPS required a statement confirming China represented an 'active threat' to national security. However, the Government's Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA), Matt Collins, refused to provide this specific wording.
Months before the pair were charged on 22 April last year, Mr Collins had prepared a statement but deleted the word 'enemy' from a draft as it was not official government policy. The CPS repeatedly requested clearer evidence, with prosecutor Tom Little, KC, calling it the 'million dollar question in the case'. The DNSA's ultimate refusal proved 'fatal', leading Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson to discontinue the case.
The cross-party committee of MPs and peers expressed surprise that the CPS deemed the evidence insufficient and criticised a lack of 'common sense' in interpreting the statements provided. Lord Carlile, KC, the former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, told the committee Mr Parkinson's decision was 'inexplicable'.
Delayed Embassy Decision and Lasting Repercussions
The inquiry's findings were published on the same day ministers announced a further delay until the New Year on a decision regarding a proposed new Chinese 'super-embassy' in London. Downing Street cited the need to consider 'particular security implications'.
The parliamentary report urged the Cabinet Office and security services to formalise principles with the CPS for handling sensitive cases to prevent future collapses. It identified 'questionable' decisions and missed opportunities to correct course, asking whether an 'alternative form of words' could have been found to allow the trial to proceed.
A CPS spokesman said they would review the recommendations, emphasising that decisions are made 'independently and based on law and evidence'. A Government spokesman welcomed the report's dismissal of conspiracy allegations but stated, 'We remain disappointed that this case did not reach trial.'
