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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Nina Lloyd

Hermer blames collapse of China spy case on law ‘not fit for purpose’

Hermer China Christopher Berry Christopher Cash Darren Jones Matt Collins Stephen Parkinson Cabinet Office CPS DPP
Lord Hermer said the Official Secrets Act was ‘not fit for purpose’ (PA) - (PA Archive)

The Attorney General has blamed the collapse of the alleged Chinese spying case on “out of date” UK espionage laws which he said were “not fit for purpose”.

Lord Richard Hermer said prosecutors had worked in “good faith” seeking to secure convictions against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry – who deny wrongdoing – but the Official Secrets Act 1911 posed a “very significant problem”.

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