British intelligence agency MI5 has warned that Chinese state security agents are targeting British lawmakers by offering them jobs on the social networking site LinkedIn, Politico reports.
Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, issued a warning on November 18 about the espionage campaign issued by MI5. It said the social network, which is aimed at career-oriented professionals, is being used to expand the reach of Chinese security services. Hoyle’s statement to lawmakers said the Chinese agents are seeking information and building long-term relationships, using professional networking sites and recruiters. A similar statement was issued in the upper house of parliament.
Speaking to the House of Commons, Britain’s Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the latest assessment showed China was trying to recruit individuals with access to information about parliament and government.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy called the British statements fabricated and malicious,
calling them despicable and part of a “self-created charade of false accusations and self-aggrandisement.”
Seeking to take the lead, Jarvis said a new action plan would be drawn up to tackle political interference and espionage. Among the planned precautions were stricter risk assessments of donors. Security campaigns would be organised by the British parliament, with tailored information materials produced for political parties and all candidates running in elections at any level.
The security minister warned that there were covert and well-calculated efforts by foreign governments to interfere in British politics for their own interests, and the government would not be spared.
The new guidelines come at a time when relations between Britain and China are at a high point. Earlier this year, British prosecutors dropped charges against two men for spying for China. One of the accused had worked in parliament. Restrictions on access to parliament for visitors from China are being considered.
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