UK: Key figures at odds over collapse of China spy case as they give conflicting accounts to a parliamentary committee

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In September, prosecutors dropped charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who had been charged under the Official Secrets Act.

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The director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, had said the case could not progress because the government’s deputy national security adviser, Matt Collins, was unwilling to classify China as an active threat to national security.

However, Mr Collins told the committee he had been given legal advice that his evidence would be “enough”.

He said he always knew the case would be “a challenge” but that he had been “trying to ensure that we could support a successful prosecution”.

Mr Collins - who was set to be the government’s witness in the trial - added: “And so I was somewhat surprised when I was told on 3 September that the intention was to drop the case.”

In contrast Tom Little KC - who would have been the lead prosecuting barrister in the case - said he would be “surprised” if Mr Collins had not realised the prosecution would collapse unless he offered further evidence.

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