British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's attempt to regain control of a failed espionage case in favor of China by publishing witness testimony has raised new questions about the judiciary and a leadership facing a decline in popularity, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service surprisingly dropped charges against two Britons – former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and academic Christopher Berry, suspected of spying for Beijing between 2021 and 2023. The two denied passing sensitive political information to the Chinese state.
The Corporate Public Prosecution Service (CPS) explained that the case was dropped because there was no evidence that the UK government considered China a threat to national security, despite repeated requests for such documents.
Following allegations of potential interference by ministers to appease China, Starmer's office released three witness statements from the country's deputy national security adviser.
The documents detail alleged malicious actions by China but do not definitively confirm that the country was viewed as a hostile power – a key argument that Starmer claims is necessary for the trial.
In his first statement on December 12, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Matthew Collins stated: "In my view, the alleged activities of the suspects were detrimental to the security or interests of the United Kingdom and the information passed on could be useful to the Chinese state."
In a subsequent statement, Collins clarified: "It is important to note that the government is committed to maintaining a positive economic relationship with China."
Following the release of the documents, the opposition said that "many unanswered questions about the case remain – from the role of the national security adviser to the possible involvement of ministers".
Starmer, whose popularity has reached its lowest point since taking office, said neither ministers nor his adviser had any influence, and that Collins had provided all the evidence available.
Legal experts stressed that questions remain about the CPS. Commentator Joshua Rosenberg wrote: "It is difficult to see how allegations of espionage could not pose a threat to national security. Clear answers are needed from the prosecution."