UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – MI5 has alerted MPs and peers to growing Chinese espionage, warning that state agents are using recruiters and LinkedIn to approach people in Parliament.
As reported by The Independent, intelligence officials have issued a new alert to MPs over an escalating espionage risk, citing Chinese efforts to approach individuals in Parliament.
Security services have issued a fresh “espionage alert” to MPs and peers, warning Parliament of rising interference risks.
What did the Commons Speaker warn MPs about Chinese interference?
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle warned MPs that China’s agents are actively trying to interfere with UK parliamentary processes and decision-making.
In a letter to MPs, he wrote,
“I am writing to you now to draw your attention to the attached Espionage Alert issued by the Security Service, MI5, to the parliamentary community.”
Mr Hoyle said the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) was
“actively reaching out to individuals in our community.”
He explained that Chinese agents intend to
“collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships, using professional networking sites, recruitment agents and consultants acting on their behalf.”
What did Dan Jarvis say about the Chinese fresh spy threats?
Security Minister Dan Jarvis commended Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s work safeguarding Parliament.
He said,
“Earlier today MI5 issued an espionage alert to members of this House, members of the Other Place, and parliamentary staff to warn them about ongoing targeting of our democratic institutions by Chinese actors.”
Mr Jarvis praised Commons Speaker, saying,
“Let me thank you Mr Speaker for your support in issuing the alart and your tireless efforts to safeguard the security of this place and the people who serve within it.”
The security minister alerts Parliament that Chinese spies are using cover firms and headhunters to access UK secrets.
He told the Commons,
“Our intelligence agencies have warned that China is attempting to recruit and cultivate individuals with access to sensitive information about Parliament and the UK Government.”
Mr Jarvis said,
“MI5 have stated that this activity is being carried out by a group of Chinese intelligence officers, often masked by the use of cover companies or external headhunters.”
The security minister warns the Government “will not tolerate” Chinese spy interference.
He said,
“Let me speak plainly: this activity involves a covert and calculated attempt by a foreign power to interfere with our sovereign affairs in favour of its own interests and this Government will not tolerate it.”
Mr Jarvis added,
“It builds on a pattern of activity that we’ve seen from China, with cyper-operations by China, state-affiliated actors targeting Parliament emails in 2021, attempted foreign interference activity by Christine Lee in 2022, and other more recent cases.”
He affirmed to the Commons that the UK will hold China accountable for spying.
The security minister said,
“We will take all necessary measures to protect our national interest, our citizens, and our democratic way of life – including working with our allies and partners.”
Mr Jarvis continued,
“The world has changed a great deal since I first stepped forward to serve our country almost 30 years ago, and while some things have changed, some things remain the same. In the various roles I’ve held since then, I’ve always believed in being clear-eyed about the threats that we face.”
He stated,
“This Government’s first duty is to protect our national security, and we will not hesitate to hold all the state actors to account.”
Mr Jarvis reveals UK measures to “disrupt and deter” Chinese espionage.
He told the Commons,
“I’m setting out a comprehensive package of measures we are taking to disrupt and deter the threats posed by China as well as by wider state actors. We are launching a counter-political interference and espionage action plan.”
The security minister added,
“We are also working on new powers to counter foreign interference, including a proscriptions-type tool to disrupt proxy organisations undermining our security and an extension to maximum penalties for election interference offences.”
Mr Jarvis announced £170m funding to upgrade encrypted technology to counter foreign espionage, warning of China’s “low threshold” for gathering information.
He told MPs,
“This Government commits to investing £170 million to renew the sovereign encrypted technology our officials use to do their vital work. This programme of work will ensure sensitive diplomatic, economic, trade and security, law enforcement and policy development arrangements are safeguarded from any state threat actors.”
The security minister confirmed the Government will invest £130m into the Integrated Security Fund next year to boost the UK’s resilience against foreign threats.
Mr Jarvis announced the government will launch initiatives to deter threats from China.
The security minister continued,
“We are building a campaign that uses all levers at the disposal of this Government to degrade the ecosystem of proxy cover companies. Organisation and individuals that are being used by foreign states to facilitate interference and espionage targeting our democratic institutions.”
Mr Jarvis warned that China is targeting UK universities, seeking to influence research and interfere with campus activities.
The security minister told MPs that the UK has cleared sensitive sites of Chinese-linked surveillance equipment under China’s national intelligence law.
What did Alicia Kearns say about Labour’s plans to protect universities from China?
Shadow home affairs minister Alicia Kearns described Labour’s plan to protect universities from China as “quite inadequate”.
She told MPs,
“The revelations today are no surprise – they are the latest in an ever-growing list of actions by the Chinese Communist Party interfering in our sovereign affairs and trying to undermine our democracy and our country.”
Ms Kearns welcomed the government’s plans to upgrade encrypted systems and remove China-made surveillance equipment from sensitive sites.
The shadow minister slammed government university security plans as “inadequate,” saying meetings with vice-chancellors are “useless” without real protection.
Ms Kearns said China should “not get away with attacks on our democracy”, adding,
“Instead of the communications plan and private closed-door meetings announced today, we urge the Government to put China in the enhanced tier of the Firs scheme.”
She urged the government to reject the London embassy plans or make China fund the rerouting of sensitive cables.
What did Lib Dems say about China’s super-embassy plans?
Liberal Democrats claim China has pressured the UK Government over new “super-embassy” plans.
Lisa Smart, the Lib Dem cabinet office spokesperson, told MPs,
“Beijing has tried to bully our Government, most recently on permission for the proposed new Chinese embassy in Tower Bridge, warning of consequences if the Government does not approve the plans.”
She said,
“They have oppressed and intimidated British nationals. We cannot afford to shy away from this challenge and leave key pressing issues unresolved.”
Ms Smart called on Parliament to record the Lib Dems’ repeated demand to block the proposed super-embassy.
What led to the collapse of the UK spying case against China-linked suspects?
The move comes after the collapse of the case against two men accused of spying for Beijing in September, raising fresh questions over UK-China security oversight.
The Crown Prosecution Service charged Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry last April under the Official Secrets Act 1911, accusing them of collecting and sharing information “useful to an enemy.” Both denied the charges.
The CPS confirmed the case could not proceed after deputy national security adviser Matt Collins refused to classify China as a threat, raising concerns over PM Sir Keir’s push for closer ties.
Mr Collins confirmed he had shared evidence of multiple threats from China, but did not classify them as “generic,” in line with the former Tory government’s position.
What are the duties of the MI5 agency?
MI5 is the UK’s domestic security agency, focused on protecting national interests from threats within the country.
The agency leads the effort in investigating and preventing terrorist risks within Britain. It works to identify and stop espionage, or spying, by other countries that threaten the nation.
MI5 also has responsibilities in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and supporting law enforcement agencies against serious crime.
