Megan Khoo: Let this be the year in which Ministers finally face up to the challenge of China
Conservative HomeJan 06
UK: Parliamentary Researcher Charged With Spying for China
The Facts
Two men, including a parliamentary researcher, have been charged by the UK's Metropolitan Police under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly providing China with information "useful to an enemy."
Arrested and released on bail in 2023 following a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation, Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash are set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on April 26.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
The UK Government must finally push back against China. Beijing's consistent attempts to meddle with and influence the direction of the UK from the shadows while Westminster fails to draw up a coherent strategy in response can no longer be tolerated. The UK's relationship with Beijing must be drastically reimagined immediately.
Pro-China narrative
The UK's accusations of espionage are nothing more than hysteria. Instead of tarnishing Beijing's reputation, the UK should address the plethora of self-inflicted problems that have only exacerbated the country's decline. Westminster's baseless stunts aren't taken seriously, and the UK is advised to focus on mutual prosperity instead of unfounded attacks.
Nerd narrative
There's a 10% chance that if China invades Taiwan before 2035, the UK will respond with military forces, according to the Metaculus prediction community.