On Monday, April 22, a British parliamentary researcher who was arrested last year on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) along with another man have been charged with spying by the UK law enforcement authorities.
According to BBC, 32-year-old Christopher Berry and 29-year-old Christopher Cash are facing charges under the Official Secrets Act and are set to appear in court on Friday.
Cash had the opportunity to access Parliament due to his work within an organization established by Conservative Party members.
The London Metropolitan Police stated that the two men are accused of providing “articles, notes, documents, or information” to a foreign country, with China (CCP) being the country in question.
The police described this as an “extremely complex investigation involving very serious allegations.”
Commander Dominic Murphy of the Counter-Terrorism Command stated, “As the investigation has unfolded, we have worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, resulting in the charges against these two individuals today.”
“We understand there is a certain level of public and media interest in this case, but we urge others not to make any further comments or speculations so that the criminal justice process can proceed smoothly.”
The police previously arrested two men related to this investigation on March 13, 2023. A man in his thirties was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire, while a man in his twenties was arrested at an address in Edinburgh.
Both men were subsequently granted bail, but the investigation is ongoing, with the case files being handed over to the Crown Prosecution Service for review by the end of 2023.
The charges against Mr. Berry from Witney, Oxfordshire, reportedly occurred between December 28, 2021, and February 3, 2023; while the charges against Mr. Cash from Whitechapel, London, allegedly took place between January 20, 2022, and February 3, 2023.
Nick Price, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism Division, stated, “Today, the CPS has authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge two men with espionage.”
In a statement, he said, “Criminal proceedings against the defendants are ongoing. No one should report, comment, or share information online that could in any way prejudice their right to a fair trial.”
Both men have been granted bail and are scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 26.
Cash has been working with the China Research Group, an organization co-founded by current Security Minister Tom Tugendhat.
The group, formed by Members of Parliament, aims to explore new approaches for how the UK should respond to China’s (CCP) expanding influence.