UK Parliament Faces Security Concerns Over Chinese Recruitment Efforts and Influence
A Conservative MP's aide, Simon Whelband, who also serves as a councillor and staffer to MP Neil O'Brien (sanctioned by China in 2021), reported a suspicious LinkedIn message from an account named Shirly Shen to Parliament security services. Whelband was advised to block the account after receiving the unsolicited job offer, which was written in poor English. Whelband noted that parliamentary staff with around 10 years of service might be particularly vulnerable to such recruitment attempts.
MI5 has warned MPs and peers about China's use of two LinkedIn profiles, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, acting as civilian recruitment headhunters seeking insider political insights. The issue was raised during a Commons debate on China, where security minister Dan Jarvis acknowledged broad cross-party concerns regarding Beijing's influence and associated risks, leading MPs to call for increased scrutiny.
Specific security worries cited during the debate included Chinese-manufactured buses operating on British roads potentially containing kill switches, Chinese-made military vehicles that might carry listening devices, and China's application for planning permission to build a large embassy in central London near sensitive data cables.
The conversation also referenced the recent collapse of a court case involving two men accused of spying for China; although both men denied any wrongdoing, one had connections to Westminster.
The UK government describes its China policy as pragmatic and clear-eyed about the risks, emphasizing ongoing engagement. This policy stance reflects the tension between hardline critics and supporters of engagement in Parliament. Recent high-level visits to Beijing by senior ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Peter Kyle, along with the presence of senior civil servants such as Foreign Office's top civil servant Sir Olly Robbins last month, underscore the continued diplomatic engagement amid these concerns.
