UK Issues Sweeping Security Response After MI5 Warns of Chinese Espionage Attempts
Government pledges stronger protections after intelligence services flag covert outreach targeting Parliament
The United Kingdom has issued a rare security alert to parliamentarians after MI5 warned that operatives linked to China’s Ministry of State Security were attempting to recruit individuals with access to sensitive political information.
The warning, circulated to MPs, peers and parliamentary staff, identified two LinkedIn profiles allegedly used to approach people working in and around Westminster under the guise of professional recruiters.
Security minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons that intelligence agencies had uncovered a coordinated effort to solicit insider insights from political figures, researchers, consultants and parliamentary staff.
He described the activity as a covert attempt to interfere in the country’s sovereign affairs and said the government would not tolerate such behaviour.
The alert detailed how outreach efforts include job offers, paid consultancy, funded trips and requests for background information that could help build a broader intelligence picture.
Jarvis said the government would respond with a strengthened security framework, including a major investment to upgrade encrypted communications technologies across government, steps to counter cybercrime, tighter protections for academic research and enhanced rules to prevent covert political funding.
Parliamentary leaders noted that the two identified profiles were conducting outreach at scale, and warned members and staff to treat unsolicited contact with caution.
The notification follows earlier cases involving suspected Chinese influence activity in the UK, as well as rising concern across government about persistent foreign attempts to gather political, technological and personal data.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy rejected the allegations as unfounded and accused the UK of staging political theatre, urging London to avoid further damaging bilateral relations.
Despite this, ministers stressed that the UK would continue to take all necessary measures to protect national security while maintaining economic ties with China as a significant trading partner.
The government is also considering whether to expand its registration scheme for foreign influence activities, which currently applies only to a small number of high-risk states.
Additional security briefings will be provided to candidates ahead of next year’s elections across Scotland, Wales and England as part of efforts to ensure that political processes remain resilient against foreign interference.
The warning, circulated to MPs, peers and parliamentary staff, identified two LinkedIn profiles allegedly used to approach people working in and around Westminster under the guise of professional recruiters.
Security minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons that intelligence agencies had uncovered a coordinated effort to solicit insider insights from political figures, researchers, consultants and parliamentary staff.
He described the activity as a covert attempt to interfere in the country’s sovereign affairs and said the government would not tolerate such behaviour.
The alert detailed how outreach efforts include job offers, paid consultancy, funded trips and requests for background information that could help build a broader intelligence picture.
Jarvis said the government would respond with a strengthened security framework, including a major investment to upgrade encrypted communications technologies across government, steps to counter cybercrime, tighter protections for academic research and enhanced rules to prevent covert political funding.
Parliamentary leaders noted that the two identified profiles were conducting outreach at scale, and warned members and staff to treat unsolicited contact with caution.
The notification follows earlier cases involving suspected Chinese influence activity in the UK, as well as rising concern across government about persistent foreign attempts to gather political, technological and personal data.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy rejected the allegations as unfounded and accused the UK of staging political theatre, urging London to avoid further damaging bilateral relations.
Despite this, ministers stressed that the UK would continue to take all necessary measures to protect national security while maintaining economic ties with China as a significant trading partner.
The government is also considering whether to expand its registration scheme for foreign influence activities, which currently applies only to a small number of high-risk states.
Additional security briefings will be provided to candidates ahead of next year’s elections across Scotland, Wales and England as part of efforts to ensure that political processes remain resilient against foreign interference.
