The Daily Star has weighed in on reports that China has been infiltrating universities with spies through a fake research organisation offering cash in exchange for sensitive information.
There have been fears for years about the threat of China and their spies. Little is known about the largely secretive state and its plans, but it is a genuine global superpower with a massive interest in confidential material and technology.
MI5 warning to academics
Spies have been infiltrating universities by pretending to be research organisations, offering top boffins cash in exchange for sensitive information.
Now MI5 has taken the unusual step of warning academics they will be prosecuted if they do not cut ties with dodgy Chinese investors. Boffins who do not comply could be sent to prison for assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Calls for action on rogue states
The situation is described as sinister, but MI5 would not make such a statement if national security were not under genuine threat. The paper argues Britain must do all it can to stop rogue states from threatening safety.
In a separate item, the Daily Star criticises the early release of hundreds of prisoners today, not for good behaviour but to free up space for worse offenders. It argues the prison service should not operate like a hotel company, and that those who commit crimes worthy of prison should be sent there, even if it means building more jails.
