Prosecutors have dropped charges against two men, including a former parliamentary researcher, who had been accused of spying for China.

Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, had previously denied the charges under the Official Secrets Act. Beijing has called the allegations “malicious slander”.

The two men were accused of providing information prejudicial to the interests of the state between 28 December 2021 and 3 February 2023.

The pair were due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in October.

Prosecutor Tom Little told the court on Monday that his team would offer no evidence against the pair and that “we simply cannot continue to prosecute this case”.

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