British Men Charged with Espionage for China
A parliamentary researcher and another British man are facing charges of spying for China, according to an investigation conducted by counter-terrorism police. The individuals, named as Christopher Cash, 29, and Christopher Berry, 32, have been accused of offenses under the Official Secrets Act.
Cash, a former researcher for Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, is alleged to have obtained and communicated information that could be useful to an enemy between January 2022 and February 2023. Berry is facing similar accusations for activities between December 2021 and February 2023.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Counter Terrorism Command, emphasized the gravity of the allegations and the complexity of the investigation. He urged the public and media to refrain from commenting on the case, as criminal proceedings are currently underway.
Nick Price, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, confirmed that Cash and Berry will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 26th. He stressed the importance of adhering to due process and avoiding any actions that could jeopardize the defendants’ right to a fair trial.
In response to the charges, Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement emphasizing the need to respect the ongoing legal proceedings and avoid prejudice to the criminal trial. She declined to provide further comments.
