- Two released on bail amid Chinese espionage charges inquiry
- Cash and Berry indicted for providing information to China
- Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing scheduled for Friday
Since their detention in March of last year, two individuals have been released on police bail pending the outcome of the investigation.
Two individuals, including a parliamentary researcher, have been indicted on Chinese espionage charges for allegedly providing “useful to an enemy” information.
Christopher Cash, 29, a Whitechapel, London, resident and former parliamentary researcher, was indicted under the Official Secrets Act subsequent to an inquiry into counterterrorism activities.
Additionally, Witney, Oxfordshire’s Christopher Berry, 32, was charged with the same offence.
The men allegedly obtained, recorded, and published information “for a purpose detrimental to the security or interests of the state” and which could be “directly or indirectly useful to an adversary” between December 2021 and February 2023.
Cash was affiliated with senior Conservative MPs, including the current security minister, Tom Tugendhat, and Alicia Kearns, who presided over the Foreign Affairs Committee, while she was a member of parliament for the China Research Group.
Ms. Kearns stated, “In reference to the Crown Prosecution’s declaration this afternoon that two men will be indicted on espionage charges on behalf of China: Since this issue is presently under consideration, it is critical that neither I nor any other individual make any statements that could potentially jeopardise a criminal trial concerning a subject of national security.”
I intend to refrain from providing any further commentary.
Both individuals were apprehended in March of the previous year and have been released on police parole ever since as the inquiry persisted.
Friday will find them in attendance at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The director of the Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism command, Commander Dominic Murphy, stated, “This has been an extraordinarily intricate investigation into extremely grave allegations.
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“As our investigation has advanced, we have collaborated closely with the Crown Prosecution Service; this has resulted in the charging of the two men today.”
We acknowledge the existence of some level of public and media attention surrounding this case. However, in order to allow the criminal justice process to conclude, we request that all parties refrain from any additional commentary or conjecture.
Nick Price, head of the Special Crime and Counterterrorism division of the Crown Prosecution Service, stated, “On Friday, April 26th, Westminster Magistrates’ Court will hear charges against Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29. They are accused of providing prejudicial information to a foreign state, China.”
