Britain's Security Service, MI5, has issued an unprecedented public alert, revealing that Chinese spies are conducting a relentless campaign to infiltrate the heart of UK democracy by targeting Parliament.
The Unprecedented MI5 Warning
In a highly unusual move, the agency explicitly named two individuals it alleges are recruiters controlled by Chinese intelligence services. The women, identified as Shirly Shen of the Internship Union and Amanda Qiu of BR-YR Executive Search, are accused of sending thousands of messages to MPs, their aides, and parliamentary staff.
The objective, according to the security alert, was to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information. MI5 described their efforts as 'prolific' attempts to 'interfere with our processes and influence activity at Parliament'.
Scale and Sophistication of the Operation
The operation was not a minor scouting mission but a years-long, large-scale effort to build contacts. The Daily Mail has learned that the pair led substantial, well-resourced teams based in China, systematically pumping out messages.
They used professional networking sites like LinkedIn, where both women boasted of links to major firms and their ability to nurture talent. Their approach involved making attractive financial offers in exchange for 'insight' on sensitive government matters, including policy, sanctions, and military capability.
Amanda Qiu had built an extensive list of online contacts, indicating connections with civil servants at the Treasury, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, a Welsh Parliament official, and Westminster consultants. Her network also included former special advisers to a Conservative Chancellor and an Education Secretary, think-tank members, and staff from universities like UCL and LSE.
Political Fallout and Government Response
The alert has ignited a political firestorm, with senior figures accusing the government of a weak stance. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel, whose own former staff member was contacted by Shirly Shen, accused the government of putting up 'the white flag'.
She stated: 'China sees this Labour Government as weak, spineless, and feeble, and they see Britain with the white flag up.'
Another victim, Conservative MP Neil O'Brien, confirmed the headhunters had tried to contact his staff. He criticised the government, asking, 'When are we going to wake up?'
In response, Security Minister Dan Jarvis addressed the Commons, calling it a 'covert and calculated attempt by a foreign power' to interfere with UK sovereign affairs. He announced a government action plan including funding for security programmes, security briefings for political parties, and work with networking sites to counter the threat.
The Prime Minister's spokesman subsequently stated that the UK will challenge China 'where we must'. Meanwhile, a Chinese embassy spokesman dismissed the accusations of espionage as 'pure fabrication'.
