A FORMER Westminster insider and an academic have been charged with spying for China.
Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday on charges of espionage under the Official Secrets Act.
Both are accused of gathering and disseminating information which were “useful to an enemy”, the Metropolitan Police said.
Nick Price, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said in a statement: “The Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division has today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge two men with espionage offences.
READ MORE: Arrests in Scotland and England as UK Parliament 'infiltrated' by ‘spy for China’
“Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, will be charged with providing prejudicial information to a foreign state, China, and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 26 April.
“Criminal proceedings against the defendants are active. No-one should report, comment or share information online which could in any way prejudice their right to a fair trial.”
Former parliamentary researcher Cash grew up in Edinburgh, and studied history at St Andrews University. He now lives in Whitechapel, London.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This has been an extremely complex investigation into what are very serious allegations. We’ve worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service as our investigation has progressed and this has led to the two men being charged today.
“We’re aware there has been a degree of public and media interest in this case, but we would ask others to refrain from any further comment or speculation, so that the criminal justice process can now run its course.”
- This story previously stated the Christopher Berry charged was an academic at King's College London. This was incorrect and has been removed. The National apologises for any confusion
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