UK China Spy Case Dropped amid Government Evidence Refusal Dispute

The case against two men accused of spying for China collapsed due to the UK government's refusal to officially label Beijing as a threat to national security, which was necessary to prosecute under the Official Secrets Act. Stephen Parkinson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), stated that despite prolonged efforts, the government did not provide evidence that China was a national security threat at the time of the alleged offenses, making the evidential standard for prosecution unmet. The Labour government, represented by Water Minister Emma Hardy, strongly denied exerting any pressure on the CPS to drop the case and expressed disappointment over the decision. The case's collapse has drawn criticism from intelligence experts and former officials who argue the government is avoiding acknowledging China as an adversary. MPs are expected to question MI5 officers who wanted the prosecution to proceed, potentially leading to further investigation. The situation highlights tensions between legal standards, national security considerations, and diplomatic sensitivities in addressing espionage allegations involving China.