In a significant security alert, a UK defence minister has urged the general public to be on high guard against approaches from Chinese spies on professional networking sites. This warning comes directly after MI5 issued a specific espionage alert to Members of Parliament, Lords, and their staff.
Parliament Put on High Alert
Security services took the unusual step of formally advising parliamentarians to be vigilant after identifying covert attempts to recruit individuals with access to sensitive information. The alert, issued on Tuesday, highlighted two specific LinkedIn accounts believed to be fronts for espionage activities.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard emphasised that this was not just a concern for those in Westminster. While appearing on Sky News, he stated, "That’s advice that should be heeded by the rest of the public as well." He explained that as society becomes more digitally connected, the opportunities for those wishing to harm UK interests to gain illicit information have multiplied.
The LinkedIn Lure: Fake Headhunters Exposed
The security services identified two LinkedIn accounts, operating under the names Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, both of which purported to be recruiters or headhunters. These profiles are thought to be linked to espionage efforts targeting people close to political power.
In Parliament, Security Minister Dan Jarvis described these actions as "a covert and calculated" attempt by the Chinese government to infiltrate influential circles. The method involves making contact under the guise of offering job opportunities, a tactic that could easily snare the unwary.
One experienced parliamentary worker who was contacted by 'Shirly Shen' shared his concerns with the BBC. He noted the message, written in poor English, was a simple job offer. "I’ve worked around parliament for about 10 years now so I’m kind of used to this," he said, adding, "But if you were more junior... you might think it’s a genuine offer." He expressed deep worry that staffers are now a primary target for accessing parliamentarians.
Diplomatic Fallout and a Complex Threat
Unsurprisingly, the allegations have sparked a diplomatic row. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, Mao Ning, dismissed the claims, accusing the UK spy agency of "groundlessly hyping up" the issue. Ning asserted that China does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs and has no interest in intelligence from the UK parliament.
This incident follows the recent collapse of a trial into alleged spying by two British nationals, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, for China. The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges a month before the trial was due to begin, citing difficulties in meeting the legal threshold that defines China as a "current threat to national security" under a 1911 law.
Minister Pollard acknowledged the complexity of the UK's relationship with China, describing it as a "complex picture." He stated that while China presents certain threats, it also offers opportunities for the UK. When questioned on LBC about the government's use of Chinese technology, including in military vehicles, Pollard confirmed that the government is "looking carefully at what the options are with Chinese technology."
This public warning marks a significant moment, underscoring that the threat of state-level espionage is no longer confined to the corridors of power but is a potential risk for any citizen active on professional social media.
