Two men charged with spying for China were granted bail after an initial court appearance in London. Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, an academic based in Oxfordshire, were accused of violating the Official Secrets Act by providing information to China that could be detrimental to the U.K.’s safety and interests.
Cash, who worked with senior lawmakers from the Conservative party, was ordered not to enter Parliament or contact members of the House of Commons. His colleagues included Alicia Kearns, now head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Tom Tugendhat, the current security minister.
Berry and Cash did not enter pleas during the hearing and were ordered not to travel outside the U.K or contact each other. They are scheduled to appear at the Central Criminal Court on May 10 for a preliminary hearing.
The Chinese Embassy has denied the allegations, calling them “completely fabricated” and “malicious slander.” This incident comes on the same day that three individuals were arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for China.
British intelligence agencies have been increasingly vocal about China’s covert activities in recent years. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.K. and China, as both countries navigate complex diplomatic relations.