Acquitted 'China spy': I was fall guy for security services
Summary
Chris Cash, a former British parliamentary researcher acquitted of spying for China, told the BBC he believes he became a “fall guy” in a case meant to draw attention to foreign espionage. Messages he shared show discussions with his friend Chris Berry about sensitive UK political matters, but the article says they contain no evidence Cash was paid by or supported China’s Communist Party.Key Facts
- Cash said he was “unprofessional and naive” to send gossiping messages to Berry, but denied intending to harm UK national security.
- The messages, sent on Signal from January 2022 to March 2023, included discussion of the 2022 Conservative Party leadership contest.
- Berry described meeting a senior Chinese official who was concerned about the possible promotion of a UK MP sanctioned by China.
- Cash used Berry as a reference during vetting for a parliamentary pass, which was approved.
- UK security services alleged that information in the messages had been passed to people linked to the Chinese state.
- Both men denied wrongdoing and were charged with espionage; they were acquitted after the case collapsed last autumn.
- The top prosecutor said officials could not state that China had been classed as an “enemy” at the time.
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