Two men, identified as Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, have been charged with spying for China. The charges allege that Berry and Cash collected, recorded or communicated information detrimental to the safety or interests of the U.K. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously raised concerns about Chinese interference in British democracy with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Police said Berry and Cash were charged with “providing prejudicial information to a foreign state, China,” and they will appear in court on Friday. Authorities did not release details about the two men, but Berry is reportedly an academic based in Oxfordshire, and Cash was a parliamentary researcher who had access to Parliament buildings.
The investigation into Berry and Cash has been described as extremely complex, with allegations of violating the Official Secrets Act between late 2021 and February 2023. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak raised concerns about Chinese interference in British democracy, while Cash maintained his innocence, and the Chinese Embassy denied the allegations, calling them fabricated. In Germany, three people were arrested on suspicion of spying for China and transferring technology with potential military uses. British intelligence authorities have been warning about Beijing’s covert activities, naming China, Russia, and Iran as the leading security threats. MI5 head Ken McCallum expressed concern about Chinese attempts to shape British politics.
Last month, British lawmakers reported attempted hacking and impersonation by hackers linked to the Chinese government. American and British authorities announced new sanctions and criminal charges against hackers accused of targeting officials and corporations in a state-backed operation. The charges against..Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, are part of a broader crackdown on Chinese espionage activities around the world. Christopher Berry is an academic based in Oxfordshire, while Christopher Cash was a parliamentary researcher with access to Parliament buildings.
The charges against Berry and Cash allege that they provided prejudicial information to China, violating the Official Secrets Act and acting against the safety and interests of the state. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously raised concerns about Chinese interference in British democracy with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The investigation into Berry and Cash is ongoing, with authorities not releasing detailed information about the two men. Berry and Cash are due to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday to face the charges.
In Germany, three people were arrested on suspicion of spying for China, further highlighting concerns about Chinese espionage activities around the world. British intelligence authorities have been warning about the security threats posed by China, Russia, and Iran. MI5 head Ken McCallum named China as a leading threat to the U.K., citing Chinese attempts to influence British politics. British lawmakers, including Iain Duncan Smith, reported hacking attempts by Chinese government-linked hackers.
The broader context of increased warnings about Chinese covert activities underscores the seriousness of the charges against Berry and Cash. These latest arrests and charges represent the ongoing efforts of Western governments to counter Chinese espionage and influence operations. The involvement of a parliamentary researcher and an academic in spying for China highlights the reach and sophistication of Chinese intelligence activities. The legal proceedings involving Berry and Cash are expected to shed further light on the extent of Chinese interference in Western democracies.