UK Government Denies It’s to Blame for Collapse of China Spies Trial

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said the previous government referred to China as an ‘epoch-defining challenge’ but not an enemy.

Christopher Cash (Left) and Christopher Berry (Right), arrive at the Old Bailey in London on May 10, 2024. PA

The UK government said on Oct. 6 that it was not to blame for the collapse of a trial of two men accused of spying for China, saying the case fell apart because China had not been defined as “an enemy” in language used by the previous government.

Conservative Party lawmakers, in government from 2010 until July 2024, accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government of deliberately collapsing the trial of Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, to avoid upsetting China.