Missing ‘critical element’ caused UK China spying trial to collapse, say prosecutors

<p>Refusal to describe China as security threat meant ‘all routes were closed’, says director of public prosecutions</p><p>The government’s evidence in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct/08/why-has-the-uk-dropped-its-trial-of-two-alleged-china-spies">China espionage trial</a> was missing a “critical element” that meant there was “no other option” but to collapse the case, prosecutors insisted on Monday night.</p><p>Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, did not directly blame anyone for the collapse of the trial but said the government’s refusal to describe China as a national security threat meant “all routes were closed”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/27/critical-element-uk-china-spying-trial-collapse">Continue reading...</a>