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

Stephen Parkinson, the DPP, was giving evidence to a parliamentary committee. Photograph: HoC

The government’s evidence in the China espionage trial was missing a “critical element” that meant there was “no other option” but to collapse the case, prosecutors insisted on Monday night.

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”.