Concerns Raised Over Chinese Recruitment in UK Parliament and Broader Security Issues
A Conservative councillor and MP staffer, Simon Whelband, reported a suspected Chinese recruitment message on LinkedIn from an account named Shirly Shen to Parliament's security services and was advised to block the account. MI5 has identified two LinkedIn profiles, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, as being used by Chinese security services to recruit from British politics.
This warning was circulated to MPs and peers by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lords Speaker Lord McFall on Tuesday. The case highlights that Parliament staff are susceptible as an entry point for foreign influence operations, with staff potentially more vulnerable to deceptive recruitment messages.
In a Commons debate, MPs raised concerns about Chinese-made buses with kill switches, military vehicles possibly acting as listening devices, and plans for a large Chinese embassy near critical data cables in London. These issues underscore ongoing worries about security and potential foreign influence.
Last month, a court case involving two men accused of spying for China collapsed; one had worked in Westminster and both accused denied wrongdoing. The UK government describes its China policy as pragmatic, acknowledging the risks. Ministers and officials, such as Rachel Reeves, Peter Kyle, and Sir Olly Robbins, have visited Beijing, while some MPs advocate for a more skeptical stance towards Beijing.
