Chinese spies are using LinkedIn to target UK lawmakers
What's the story
UK's domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has issued a warning to lawmakers about Chinese spies posing as recruiters on platforms like LinkedIn. The agency said the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) is trying to establish connections with parliamentarians to "collect sensitive information on the UK." House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle circulated the alert, highlighting that these state actors are "relentless" in their attempts to influence parliamentary processes.
Official response
Security minister condemns foreign interference
Security Minister Dan Jarvis condemned the actions as a "covert and calculated attempt by a foreign power to interfere with our sovereign affairs." However, the Chinese embassy in London dismissed these allegations as "pure fabrication and malicious slander." The embassy accused Britain of undermining bilateral relations through what it called "self-staged charade of false accusations."
Espionage risk
MI5 chief warns of daily national security threat
The warning comes after a recent case against two British men accused of spying for China was dropped because the government refused to label China as an "enemy," which was necessary for prosecution under the Official Secrets Act 1911. MI5 chief Ken McCallum had earlier warned that Chinese spies pose a daily national security threat to UK. He emphasized the need for the UK to defend against such threats while seizing opportunities that benefit the nation.
Security concerns
MI5's warning comes ahead of embassy decision
The latest MI5 warning comes as the British government is set to decide on a new Chinese embassy in London. The decision was delayed after China refused to clarify blacked-out areas in its plans. Critics have long raised security concerns over the proposed complex. Conservative Shadow Security Minister Alicia Kearns has called on the government to refuse permission for this embassy and cancel planned trips to China, citing national security risks.