Commons Speaker Warns UK Parliament Vulnerable to Foreign Espionage After China-Linked Case Dropped

Published: 20 September — The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

The UK Parliament has been left exposed to potential interference by “foreign actors” following the decision to drop espionage charges against two men accused of spying for China, the Speaker of the House of Commons has warned.

Lindsay Hoyle expressed deep concern over the case, saying that the withdrawal of charges effectively granted Beijing a “licence to operate” within parliamentary circles. Speaking to the Times, Hoyle emphasised the critical importance of safeguarding the integrity and security of the House of Commons, noting that the decision to halt proceedings left significant vulnerabilities.

The two men, Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, had faced allegations of unlawfully providing information prejudicial to the interests of the state between December 2021 and February 2023 under the Official Secrets Act. Both men had denied the accusations and were due to stand trial next month. However, on Monday, prosecutors announced that the evidential basis for the case was no longer sufficient, prompting the charges to be dropped.

Cash had served as a parliamentary researcher and director of the China Research Group, with ties to prominent Conservative figures, including former security minister Tom Tugendhat and MP Alicia Kearns. The case’s collapse has sparked criticism from multiple parties, highlighting concerns about potential gaps in parliamentary security.

Hoyle warned that the door had been left open to foreign interference and stressed that urgent measures were needed to protect MPs, staff, and the wider parliamentary environment. “This door must be closed hard. We must pursue all avenues to ensure the protection of members and people that work within the House of Commons. It will not be tolerated,” he said.

Stephen Parkinson, Chief Prosecutor for England and Wales, acknowledged the disappointment and frustration shared by many MPs and members of the public. He explained that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had been compelled to halt the case due to an “evidential failure,” meaning that the evidence no longer met the required threshold for a realistic prospect of conviction.

Parkinson clarified that while the initial charging decision was sound, proving that China constituted an “enemy” under the Official Secrets Act 1911 presented a significant legal challenge. He noted that recent reforms under the National Security Act 2023 now provide broader powers to address espionage and activities conducted on behalf of foreign powers.

The case has reignited debate about parliamentary security and the adequacy of existing legal frameworks to protect sensitive government operations from international interference. Hoyle announced he had requested officials to review operational, strategic, and legal measures to ensure that everyone working in Parliament can conduct their duties securely and without fear of foreign influence.

The withdrawal of charges against Cash and Berry underscores the complexities of prosecuting espionage cases and raises pressing questions about the vulnerability of UK institutions to external manipulation, particularly in an era of evolving global security threats.