When two men accused of spying for Beijing walked free from a London courtroom last month, the tremors were felt far beyond Westminster. In Washington, they registered as something far more serious: a crack in the bedrock of one of the world’s most trusted intelligence partnerships. Now, the White House is warning that Britain’s failure to prosecute the alleged spies — a decision critics say was driven by a desire to appease China — could put the “special relationship” itself at risk. As suspicions swirl around political pressure, economic leverage and strategic hesitation in London, the fallout threatens to redraw the contours of UK-US security cooperation at a time when both nations face growing Chinese influence.
Driving the news
The White House has issued an unusually blunt warning to the UK after prosecutors dropped espionage charges against two British men accused of spying for China — a decision that has infuriated Washington and raised doubts about Britain’s reliability as a security partner.The collapse of the high-profile case against Chris Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, an academic, has sparked a political firestorm in London and a diplomatic rift with Washington. Senior Trump administration officials say continued intelligence sharing could be at risk, while Republicans are urging Britain to revive the prosecution to send a clear message to Beijing.
Why it matters
For decades, the UK and the US have shared some of the world’s most sensitive intelligence under the “Five Eyes” alliance. That trust depends on both sides treating espionage threats with equal seriousness. The decision to drop the charges — reportedly because the government refused to label China an “enemy” — is being seen in Washington as a sign that London is going soft on Beijing, just as President Trump escalates a trade war and warns allies about Chinese infiltration.If Britain is perceived as politically unwilling to confront Chinese espionage, US officials say, intelligence cooperation — the bedrock of the transatlantic security relationship — could suffer.
The big picture
The collapsed case: Cash and Berry were charged under the 1911 Official Secrets Act, accused of passing sensitive information to a Chinese agent between 2021 and 2023. Prosecutors said Berry produced at least 34 reports for Beijing, some prejudicial to UK national security. But the case imploded when officials refused to define China as an “enemy” — a legal requirement for prosecution.Washington’s anger: A senior US official warned that the failure to prosecute “adversarial coercion and influence” could limit future intelligence sharing. John Moolenaar, head of the House China Committee, urged Britain not to let the case “falter”.Political fallout in London: Opposition parties, former spy chiefs and Conservative leaders accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of appeasing China to secure investment. They allege the Treasury and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell pressured prosecutors to drop the case and delay publication of a critical China audit.Powell under fire: Powell, who once served as Tony Blair’s chief of staff, faces calls to resign. He is linked to pro-China groups and was reportedly involved in negotiations over returning the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a Beijing ally. Government sources deny he influenced the decision.Trade and diplomacy entangled: China has tied major economic carrots to its demands. Beijing’s ambassador warned that a planned new Chinese embassy in London would not go ahead without guarantees. Jingye, the Chinese owner of British Steel, has offered to forgo a £1 billion compensation claim if the embassy is approved.Broader tensions: The scandal comes as Trump hikes tariffs on Chinese goods to 130% and accuses Beijing of restricting critical mineral exports. Meanwhile, Starmer’s government is accused of softening Britain’s China stance, including on sensitive issues like Huawei, foreign investment, and human rights.What’s next: Parliament is expected to hold an emergency debate. Conservatives are exploring legal action against the government under the National Security Act, and pressure is growing for a public explanation from the attorney-general. With US-UK trust now visibly strained, the fate of future intelligence cooperation — and Britain’s China policy — hangs in the balance.