File picture for reference only - MI5 building - Thames House

 

Britain’s MI5 has warned that Chinese spies are masquerading as recruiters on LinkedIn, attempting to interact with UK Parliament members. The alert highlights efforts by China’s Ministry of State Security to gather sensitive information and gain strategic advantages over the UK. This warning follows the collapse of a spying case involving two British nationals, intensifying security concerns.

 

The alert, distributed by Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, expressed concerns over the relentless nature of Chinese intelligence operations. Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed these actions represent calculated attempts to interfere with British sovereignty. Chinese officials have dismissed the claims, labelling them as “pure fabrication and malicious slander.”

 

The recent warning from MI5 comes after prosecutors dropped a case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who were accused of spying for China. The case was abandoned due to a lack of evidence, specifically the government’s failure to label China as an "enemy," required under the Official Secrets Act 1911. Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised the previous government's cautious wording that avoided naming China a threat, sparking controversy over security priorities.

 

MI5 chief Ken McCallum stressed the daily security threat posed by Chinese espionage, advocating for stronger defensive measures while balancing economic interests. With the National Security Act 2023 addressing legislative weaknesses, the UK strives to counter state-backed threats. Security Minister Jarvis noted ongoing hostile activities, supported by past incidents of interference.

 

The UK's decision on a new Chinese embassy in London looms, delayed after concerns over undisclosed areas in the building plans. Critics like Alicia Kearns, Conservative shadow security minister, urge refusal of the project and cancellation of official visits to China, questioning the message sent by continued diplomatic interactions amid security threats, reported CNN.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• MI5 warns UK lawmakers of Chinese spies using LinkedIn for information gathering.
• Collapsed spying case raises issues regarding legislation and national security policies.
• Ongoing deliberations on the new Chinese embassy in London amid security fears.

 

Read more UK news HERE

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-11-19

 

 

 

I do not think this is really news; Chinese spies are tracking all important people in every country, including politicians.

23 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

I do not think this is really news; Chinese spies are tracking all important people in every country, including politicians.

Fully agree, but it's a bit of a stretch to classify UK politicians as important people?

MI5 Conspiracy Theories.  

Surprised the UK has anything to interest the Chinese.

Well uk spies on any country that is of interest. So it is expected others to spy on them. 

The UK and the other '5 eyes' spy on absolutely everything and everyone else,  so why do they expect   no one else to do the same ?

 

3 hours ago, bendejo said:

 

 

Aw, and here I had the idea of MI5 in a dingy office in Cambridge Circus.  This looks like Information Retrieval from the film Brazil .

 

 

Yep... that is definately not MI5 HQ... its the HQ of MI6 located on the Thames (London).

MI5 HQ, photo attached below, is located in Millbank (London).

For those not aware, MI5 is the UK millitary intellegence agency which covers specifially within the UK... whereas MI6 covers millitary inellegence activities outside the UK.