MPs Warn China Spy Trial Failures Could Happen Again Without Urgent Reforms

A major parliamentary committee has warned that the systemic failures which caused the collapse of a high-profile espionage trial could easily be repeated unless the government undertakes significant reforms. The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy said a series of missteps and poor coordination led to the dropping of charges against Chris Cash and Chris Berry, who had been accused of sharing sensitive information with a Chinese intelligence contact. Both men have consistently denied wrongdoing.
The report found no evidence that the government intentionally let the case fail, rejecting claims that ministers had acted to protect economic relations with China. Instead, it concluded that the collapse was the result of widespread mismanagement.

Miscommunication and Delays Undermined the Case

The committee criticised the handling of the trial as “shambolic,” highlighting breakdowns in communication between prosecutors and government departments. One of the most serious concerns involved the refusal of Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins to classify China as an “enemy” at the time of the alleged offences. The Crown Prosecution Service said this decision made it impossible to secure a conviction under the laws in place during 2024.
However, MPs and peers said they were surprised the CPS chose not to put the case before a jury, noting that the legislation did not explicitly require an “enemy” designation for the trial to proceed. The committee was also troubled by an unexplained eight-month delay in securing an important witness statement, which further weakened the prosecution.

Warning: Future Espionage Trials Could Face Similar Fate

The report challenges government claims that new legislation will prevent similar outcomes in the future. The National Security Act 2023 updated espionage laws, shifting the focus from aiding an enemy to acting on behalf of foreign powers, including through cyber activity. While ministers said this modernised approach would stop similar collapses, the committee strongly disagreed.
It urged the government not to treat the Cash and Berry case as a one-off incident tied to outdated laws. Instead, it said the failure exposed deeper issues that could derail future national security prosecutions if left unaddressed. With global tensions rising, the committee warned that more espionage cases are likely in the coming years.

MPs Say Public Trust Is at Risk

Committee chair Matt Western said the government must act quickly to restore confidence in the justice system. He stressed that mishandling sensitive cases sends the wrong message to foreign adversaries and could erode public trust.
Western noted that many officials involved in the case appeared unclear about their responsibilities. He said the role of the deputy national security adviser had been left “isolated and exposed” and must be urgently reviewed to avoid similar breakdowns in future investigations.

Recommendations for Fast and Sweeping Reform

The committee called for a series of reforms to be implemented within six months. These include a complete overhaul of communication channels between the CPS and government departments involved in national security cases. The report stated that communication failures contributed directly to the collapse and must be resolved immediately.
The committee also recommended that every future espionage trial con,vene a formal conference within thirty days of charges being filed. These meetings would include investigators, prosecutors, government witnesses and senior law officers who would work together to identify any weaknesses in the evidence at an early stage.
Without these improvements, MPs and Lords warn the justice system risks repeating the same costly errors, potentially jeopardising future national security cases and weakening the country’s ability to respond to foreign threats.