The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has dropped a controversial espionage case against two British researchers, Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash, who were accused of spying for China. The CPS had alleged that a senior Chinese official, now identified as Cai Qi, a member of the standing committee of the Chinese Communist Party politburo, was the recipient of politically sensitive information from the pair.
Cai Qi is the fifth-ranking member of the seven-man standing committee, making him one of the most powerful figures in China. He is a close ally of President Xi Jinping and serves as de facto chief of staff. The CPS claimed that between December 2021 and February 2023, a Chinese intelligence agent commissioned at least 34 reports from Berry, which contained information from Cash, who worked in Westminster for the China Research Group, a group of Beijing-sceptic Conservative MPs.
The case was dropped in September 2024 due to a lack of evidence, with the director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, stating that the evidence no longer met the test for a realistic prospect of conviction. The CPS denied any political pressure in the decision. However, the move has sparked outrage among MPs, with Speaker Lindsay Hoyle considering a private action against the pair.
Experts have expressed scepticism about the allegations, noting that an official of Cai's seniority would be unlikely to have direct contact with foreign researchers. Professor Kerry Brown of King's College London described the scenario as 'very, very, very unlikely', highlighting that politburo members have little liberty for such activities under Xi Jinping's leadership. The case has raised questions about the UK's understanding of Chinese political structures and intelligence assessment.
