MI5 Issues Urgent Espionage Alert to Westminster
The UK's security establishment has taken the unprecedented step of issuing a direct warning to Members of Parliament, peers, and parliamentary staff about an active spying threat from Chinese security services. The alert, distributed on Tuesday 18 November 2025, details calculated attempts by China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) to recruit individuals with access to sensitive government and parliamentary information.
Covert Recruitment Tactics Uncovered
Security Minister Dan Jarvis addressed the House of Commons, revealing that MI5 has identified specific methods being used by Chinese intelligence operatives. The approach involves using professional networking sites like LinkedIn and recruitment head-hunters acting on behalf of cover companies. Jarvis described these actions as a covert and calculated attempt by a foreign power to interfere with our sovereign affairs and stated unequivocally that the government would not tolerate such activities.
The MI5 alert specifically named two individuals—Amanda Qiu of BR-YR Executive Search and Shirly Shen of Internship Union—as known operatives using LinkedIn profiles to contact parliamentary figures on behalf of China's MSS. The intelligence service warned that the Chinese Ministry of State Security seeks to collect sensitive information on the UK to gain strategic advantage, particularly targeting political and economic information that is classified or sensitive in nature.
Government Launches Comprehensive Response
In response to the escalating threat, Minister Jarvis announced a significant package of protective measures, including the launch of a new espionage action plan. The government will invest £170 million to renew encrypted technology used by civil servants to safeguard sensitive work, alongside a further £130 million to help counter-terror police enforce the National Security Act and protect business intellectual property.
Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle formally alerted parliamentarians to the espionage alert, emphasizing that the Chinese intelligence service aims to collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships. The government's response will include tailored security briefings for devolved governments and political parties by year's end, plus new security guidance in January for all candidates in the upcoming May elections.
Through the Defending Democracy Taskforce, ministers are launching protective security campaigns designed to help those in politics recognize, resist and report suspicious state threat activity. Jarvis concluded by vowing his department would stand ready to disrupt, degrade and protect against the dangerous and unrestrained offensive cyber ecosystem that China has allowed to take hold.
