"It includes lots of detail relating to the specific allegations against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who have always denied the allegations against them and who are not facing any criminal proceedings. Mr Cash, through his solicitor, has already put out a statement reiterating his innocence and reflecting that he hadn't had "the daylight of a public trial" and adding that he shouldn't have to take part "in a trial by media.""
"In the first document, Mr Collins sets out that the government at the time saw China as an "evolving and epoch defining challenge". That was the language government ministers were always careful to use at the time. It adds that the government "will increase our national security protections where Chinese state actions pose a threat to our people, prosperity and security"."
"The second one is dated February 2024, also when the Conservatives were in power and the third August 2025, when Labour were. But it turns out, we learned in a later hastily published clarification, the date was a year out in that second document and it was actually submitted in February 2025, under Labour arguably a crucial distinction when one element of the language used is examined."
Three government submissions from Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins were published on the government's website shortly after half past nine. The submissions carried dates of December 2023, February (initially shown as 2024 but later corrected to February 2025), and August 2025. The December submission contains detailed material about allegations involving Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who deny the allegations and face no criminal proceedings. The documents describe China as an "evolving and epoch defining challenge", pledge increased national security protections against Chinese state actions, urge bilateral engagement, and warn of large-scale Chinese espionage capabilities.
Read at www.bbc.com
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