China spy case: Witness statements published after Starmer accused of ‘cover-up’ | ITV News

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China spy case: Witness statements published after Starmer accused of 'cover-up' | ITV News

The Government has published witness statements made by deputy national security adviser Matt Collins as part of the collapsed China spy case.

In a witness statement which ultimately led to the collapse of the prosecution of the China spy case, Mr Collins said the Government sought to "strengthen understanding, cooperation and stability" in its relationship with Beijing.

Mr Collins provided three witness statements as part of the Crown Prosecution Service’s case, which was ultimately dropped when it was deemed the evidence did not show China was a threat to national security.

Collins said Chinese intelligence services were "highly capable and conduct large scale espionage operations" against the UK but added the Government was "committed to pursuing a positive relationship" with Beijing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had earlier promised to publish the evidence given to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as part of the collapsed case.

Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party has been pressing ministers over their handling of the collapsed trial of Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, a teacher.

Both men, who deny wrongdoing, had been accused of passing secrets to China, but charges against them were dropped last month.

The CPS said the case collapsed because the government’s evidence did not show that China represented a threat to national security at the time of the alleged offences.

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Date: October 16, 2025