Labour is facing accusations of “appeasing” China after failing to enforce the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which requires groups directed by foreign powers to influence UK politics to register publicly. Despite the legal mandate, not a single group has admitted working for China under the scheme.
Former Minister Blasts 'Soft Touch on China'
Former foreign minister Alicia Kearns, a vocal critic of Chinese espionage, accused the Labour Government of refusing to “enforce the law.” She claimed ministers are taking a “soft touch on China,” sending a message that the UK “won’t lift a finger to stop you.” Kearns, who previously chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee, pointed to the collapse of a spying trial involving two men, including a former aide, as evidence of the threat.
“The Chinese Communist Party does not respect borders. It does not respect our laws,” Kearns said. She highlighted China’s Ministry of State Security, which employs 800,000 people, and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s finding that Beijing operates 75 covert influence outposts across Britain.
FIRS Registration Gaps
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme has seen registrations from groups acting for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, and Taiwan, but none for China. Registration is compulsory for any “entity controlled by a foreign power and doing activities in the UK.” Failure to comply can result in up to two years’ imprisonment and unlimited fines.
Kearns criticized Labour’s “stubborn appeasement,” stating: “When we designed the National Security Act, we built in serious consequences for non-compliance… We understood the system would not work without enforcement, and so it has proved. No one has registered: a direct consequence of Labour’s evident appeasement and unwillingness to stand up for our security.”
Government Response
A Home Office spokesperson defended the government’s actions, saying: “The first duty of government is to protect our national security. That is why we’ve brought forward robust measures to defend our country from state-backed threats, including fast-tracking powers to designate bodies engaged in foreign power threat activity. FIRS is kept under continuous review. We will take whatever action is necessary to protect the UK.”
Kearns remains unconvinced, arguing that the lack of enforcement undermines national security and emboldens Chinese influence operations. She called on the government to enforce the law and protect British institutions from subversion.
