A senior minister has firmly denied the national security adviser’s involvement in a dropped spy case. The government insists Jonathan Powell played no part in the decision. This case involved two British men accused of spying for China, and consequently, the government is facing intense scrutiny. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson publicly defended the official.
Phillipson appeared on several news programs on Sunday, providing clear assurances about the adviser’s role. She stated Powell had no connection to case discussions and was not involved with the substance or the evidence. Furthermore, she confirmed the Prime Minister’s full confidence in the national security adviser. This statement aimed to quell growing political controversy.
The case collapsed in September against two researchers. Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were the accused men. They denied providing information to China’s politburo. The Crown Prosecution Service abruptly abandoned their prosecution, and reports soon emerged suggesting a specific reason: the CPS allegedly needed a government classification of China as a threat.
According to these reports, the national security adviser was central. He reportedly said China would not be called an enemy. This classification was apparently vital for a conviction. The government’s own national security strategy supports this, labeling China a “geostrategic challenge” instead of a direct threat.
The director of public prosecutions explained the dilemma last week in a letter to parliamentary committee chairs. He said ministers and officials declined to label Beijing a threat, despite many months of requests from prosecutors. Therefore, the case could not proceed under the Official Secrets Act.
Phillipson expressed disappointment about the dropped case but redirected questions to the CPS, saying they were best placed to explain the legal failure. She also pointed to the previous government, noting that relevant legal changes occurred in 2023 under the Conservatives.
Meanwhile, political criticism continues to intensify. Senior Conservative Kemi Badenoch wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, accusing the government of changing its story repeatedly. She called it a matter of utmost importance involving national security and alleged weakness in standing up to Beijing. The government’s defense of the national security adviser has become a central part of this political storm.
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