Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has reached out to the prime minister regarding “unanswered” inquiries related to the dismissed case against two individuals accused of espionage for China.

Charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who assert their innocence, were dropped in September, leading to backlash from Members of Parliament. The director of public prosecutions (DPP) indicated that the case could not move forward due to the unavailability of evidence from the government, which had classified China as a national security threat. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed ministers’ “disappointment” over the case’s failure to proceed.

Badenoch’s letter cited “changing accounts” from the government regarding the situation. Sir Keir Starmer previously noted that ministers were reliant on the last government’s assessment of China, which termed it an “epoch-defining challenge.” He expressed frustration over the case’s collapse and the need for clarity.

Badenoch posed several significant unanswered questions in her letter and advocated for Starmer or a senior minister to address MPs for resolution. She emphasized the importance of the situation, involving alleged espionage against MPs, and accused ministers of being inadequate in responding to Beijing concerning national security.

The letter also questioned Phillipson’s comments made earlier, asserting that Starmer’s national security advisor Jonathan Powell had no involvement in the matter’s “substance or evidence.” Moreover, Phillipson reiterated that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was best positioned to explain the prosecution’s failure.

Questions were also raised regarding the lack of evidence provided by the government to the CPS, implicating Powell in the decision-making process. Badenoch sought clarification on whether any ministers were aware of these interactions and whether prior government denials were misleading.

The Conservatives have submitted an urgent request for ministers to discuss the trial’s collapse in Parliament. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp emphasized the need for transparency regarding why information demonstrating China’s threat to national security was not disclosed during the 2021-2023 period. Former ministers pointed to substantial evidence of Chinese activities posing a threat, while the Liberal Democrats called for stronger action against potential Chinese espionage in the UK.