Two men have been charged with spying for China under the Official Secrets Act, the Metropolitan Police have said.

Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, have been charged with providing prejudicial information to China following an investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.

Between December 2021 and February 2023, the men allegedly obtained, recorded and published information "for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state" and which could be "directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy".

The Met has described it as an "extremely complex investigation" into "very serious allegations".

Berry of Witney, Oxfordshire and Cash of Whitechapel, London, are set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, April 26.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Counter Terrorism Command, said: "This has been an extremely complex investigation into what are very serious allegations.

"We've worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service as our investigation has progressed and this has led to the two men being charged today.

"We're aware there has been a degree of public and media interest in this case, but we would ask others to refrain from any further comment or speculation, so that the criminal justice process can now run its course."

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The two men were first arrested in March last year in connection with the investigation.

The charge states that "for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state, obtained, collected, recorded, published, or communicated to any other person articles, notes, documents or information, which were calculated to be, might be, or were intended to be, directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy".

Nick Price, head of the CPS's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division has today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge two men with espionage offences.

"Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, will be charged with providing prejudicial information to a foreign state, China, and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday April 26.

"Criminal proceedings against the defendants are active.

"No-one should report, comment or share information online which could in any way prejudice their right to a fair trial."

The charges come as concerns grow about China’s alleged espionage activity in Britain.