UK Parliament Warned: China-Linked Espionage Looms

UK parliamentarians are cautioned over espionage activities by China-linked agents. MI5 issued an alert highlighting two recruitment headhunters suspected of spying, believed to work for China's Ministry of State Security. Measures are being developed to counter these threats against UK sovereignty.

The United Kingdom's MPs have been alerted to potential espionage threats from China-linked agents, following a warning from the MI5 security service. Two individuals, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, are named as recruitment headhunters allegedly acting on behalf of the Chinese government.

According to the security service, the agents are involved in covert activities aiming to gather sensitive information from those within government circles. UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed plans to introduce measures to counter and deter such activities, describing them as attempts by a foreign entity to interfere with the UK's sovereignty.

Further to this, MI5 urged MPs and their teams to be vigilant against 'false personas' and inducements such as all-expenses paid trips, both tactics used to solicit confidential information. This statement came amid concerns triggered by dropped espionage charges against two individuals, casting a spotlight on the complexities of defining threats within legal frameworks.

(With inputs from agencies.)