Matthew Trickett, 37, was pronounced dead Sunday in a park in Maidenhead, an area of southern England west of London, according to a statement by Thames Valley Police. The police said they discovered Trickett’s body after receiving a call from a member of the public.
“An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained,” the police said in their statement.
Trickett was a former Royal Marine, and he owned a private security firm. After facing the charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and foreign interference under Britain’s National Security Act, he was given bail on May 13.
The foreign intelligence service referred to in the charges is that of Hong Kong. Trickett was one of three men accused of spying for China.
The other men involved are Chi Leung Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63. The National Security Act, which was passed in December, targets threats from foreign countries. It is supposed to enhance UK security and protect the country’s democratic institutions, economy and values.
Their next court appearance was supposed to be this Friday.
Trickett’s lawyer expressed surprise at the death of his client and was unable to comment more. His family was “mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother, and family member,” the same statement said.
The court case involving Trickett has created diplomatic tension between Britain and China. The British foreign ministry told the Chinese ambassador that espionage and cyberattacks were impermissible in the country.
The Chinese Embassy in London accused Britain of fabricating the charges. It also said that Britian did not have the right to interfere with Hong Kong.
This comes after Britain has denounced the treatment that pro-democracy figures face in Hong Kong, a former British colony. The country also developed a visa program that allow Hong Kong residents to come to the UK. Britain and China have also disagreed over the conditions of Uyghur Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, a region of China, as well as human rights in Tibet.
Officials warned that Britain could face “China’s firm and strong retaliation.” The tension follows a “Golden Age” of stronger relationship between London and Beijing, but those ties have considerably weakened in recent years.
