British Spy Trial Collapse: Controversy Sparks Over China Relations

The British government has denied responsibility for the collapse of a high-profile trial involving allegations of spying for China. The trial of Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, accused of passing sensitive information to a Chinese agent, was dropped by prosecutors due to language in the previous government's China policy. The charges, dismissed last month, were based on the Official Secrets Act.

Reports suggest the case was compromised by the government's reluctance to label China as an enemy, aiming instead to preserve diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson clarified that the former government's description of China as an 'epoch-defining challenge' played a crucial role in the case, avoiding the term 'enemy'.

Critics, including the Conservative Party, accuse the Labour government of intentionally undermining the trial to avoid diplomatic tension with Beijing. Meanwhile, the National Security Act of 2023 is expected to empower future prosecutions in espionage cases, potentially providing broader circumstances to bring suspects to trial.

(With inputs from agencies.)