MI5 warns MPs about espionage risk

MI5 has warned MPs and members of the House of Lords about the threat of espionage from the Chinese state.

House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and House of Lords speaker Lord McFall have distributed an espionage alert.

Sir Lindsay warned that Chinese-linked operatives are attempting to disrupt parliamentary processes and exert influence.

He said that China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has been making contact with people connected to Parliament, aiming to gather intelligence and establish long-term ties. 

The warning specifically highlights two LinkedIn profiles which are believed to be used on behalf of the MSS. The LinkedIn profiles allegedly act as "civilian recruitment head-hunters", recruiting individuals working in British politics for the MSS.

MPs and peers are also urged to be wary of all-expenses paid trips to China, and payment for information through cash or cryptocurrency.

Targets could include Parliament staff, economists, think tank employees, geo-political consultants and those working alongside the government.

The government has now set out new action against espionage threats to the UK.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis will now coordinate a new Counter Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan to disrupt and deter spying from states like China. 

Intelligence services will deliver security briefings for political parties and issue new guidance to election candidates to help them recognise, resist and report suspicious activity; work with professional networking sites to make them a more hostile operating environment for spies; and tighten rules on political donations through a new Elections Bill.  

There will also be investment in tools used by officials who work to keep the UK safe.

£170 million will be invested in renewing the sovereign and encrypted technology that civil servants use to safeguard sensitive work.

£130 million will be spent on projects like building Counter Terrorism Policing’s ability to enforce the National Security Act, and fund the National Cyber Security Centre’s and National Protective Security Authority’s work with critical businesses to protect their intellectual property.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis MBE, said: "Today we’ve taken action to expose a covert and calculated attempt by China to interfere with our sovereign affairs. This government’s first duty is to keep the country safe, which is why I’ve announced new action to give security officials the powers and tools they need to help disrupt and deter foreign espionage activity wherever they find it. 

"As a country with a long and proud history of trading around the world, it’s in our interests to continue to seek an economic relationship with China, but this government will always challenge countries whenever they undermine our democratic way of life."