Britain’s MI5 security service alerted members of parliament on Tuesday about ongoing efforts by Chinese agents to gather information and influence their activities, as detailed in an email obtained by Reuters. This warning follows a recent legal setback for the prosecution of two British men accused of espionage, who were charged with spying on MPs for China. The case was abandoned in October due to insufficient evidence from the British government to demonstrate that China posed a national security threat.
In response to the increased espionage risks, House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and the House of Lords Speaker disseminated a new “espionage alert” issued by the security services. Hoyle highlighted that the Chinese Ministry of State Security was actively reaching out to members of the community in an effort to gather intelligence. He emphasized that the agency was using platforms like LinkedIn, along with recruitment agents and consultants, to establish long-term relationships with individuals.
Hoyle specifically pointed out that two individuals were noted for their outreach efforts on LinkedIn, working on behalf of the Chinese government to conduct extensive outreach.
The Chinese embassy in London has not yet commented on the matter. This situation underscores the ongoing concerns regarding foreign interference and the need for vigilance within the corridors of power. By raising awareness, MI5 aims to fortify the defenses against potential espionage efforts and safeguard national interests.