British prosecutors have charged two men, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, with spying for China while working in the U.K. Parliament. The men are accused of providing prejudicial information to a foreign state between late 2021 and February 2023, violating the Official Secrets Act. Cash, reportedly a former parliamentary researcher who worked with senior Conservative lawmakers, and Berry, an academic based in Oxfordshire, will appear in court on Friday. The Metropolitan Police counterterrorism command described the investigation as complex and serious, but did not provide further details about the suspects.
One of the suspects, Cash, had previously worked alongside influential lawmakers, including Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat, who currently holds a key role as security minister. House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle confirmed that one of the suspects held a parliamentary pass during the alleged offenses. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had raised concerns with the Chinese Premier last year regarding interference in British democracy, something Cash denied through his lawyers. The Chinese Embassy dismissed the allegations as fabricated and urged the U.K. to stop political manipulation against China.
In a separate incident, three individuals were arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for China and attempting to transfer information related to technology with potential military applications. British intelligence officials have been increasingly vocal about Beijing’s covert activities, with the head of MI5 naming China, Russia, and Iran as top security threats to the U.K. In recent years, Chinese authorities have allegedly attempted to influence British politics, targeting individuals across various levels of government. Last month, British lawmakers disclosed being targeted by hackers linked to the Chinese government, prompting the announcement of new sanctions and criminal charges against them.
The ongoing developments highlight a growing concern for Western nations regarding Chinese espionage activities and attempts to interfere in democratic processes. The charges against Cash and Berry underscore the seriousness of the allegations and the need for enhanced vigilance in detecting and countering foreign espionage. As governments around the world grapple with the challenge of protecting national security in an increasingly interconnected world, cooperation and information sharing among allies are crucial in addressing the evolving threats posed by hostile actors. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining robust security measures and staying vigilant against potential threats from foreign adversaries.
