MI5 warns MPs they are being targeted by China and Russia

MI5 has warned MPs they are being targeted through espionage by China, Russia and Iran in a shock warning.

In a government warning ahead of security minister Dan Jarvis’s Commons statement, intelligence chiefs have issued new guidance on protecting Britain’s democracy from foreign agents.

He noted that elected representatives and those who work with them may be targeted because of their access to information, their ability to shape policy or public opinion, or their relationships with other stakeholders.

This includes not only classified material but also privileged or insider information that foreign intelligence services find valuable. This may be through attempts to use overseas travel, online events, and financial donations as avenues of reach and influence.

MI5 Director-General Sir Ken McCallum said: “When foreign states steal vital information from the UK or manipulate our democratic processes, they not only undermine our security in the short term, they also erode the foundations of our sovereignty and our ability to protect the interests of our citizens.

“Everyone reading this guide cares deeply about the role they play in UK democracy. Take action today to protect it and yourself.”

It came as House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle expressed anger at the collapse of the China spying case involving former parliamentary investigators.

Sir Lindsay made a dramatic opening statement ahead of Mr Jarvis’s update to MPs, at a time when questions are mounting about whether the government is effectively blocking crucial evidence from being passed on to prosecutors.

The case of Christopher Cash, 30, a former parliamentary investigator, and Christopher Berry, 33, a teacher, collapsed last month amid claims by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that the government had refused to produce evidence needed to proceed with the case.

Sir Keir Starmer’s defense was that the previous Tory government under Rishi Sunak did not put in place the correct laws to hold the hearing because China was not properly identified as a national security threat.

But the Conservatives accused the government of blocking the MI5 file being sent to prosecutors.

Mr Jarvis said: “I would urge anyone working in government, the civil service or politics to exercise caution, trust their instincts if something does not feel right and follow the NPSA’s guidance. “Foreign intelligence officers often work covertly and exploit professional networking sites and personal weaknesses to build influence.

“This new guidance builds on the work we are already doing to address these issues. Those wielding political influence on behalf of foreign powers should register under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, as Parliament and the public have the right to know who is trying to influence political outcomes and whose interests it is in.”

But it comes amid angry scenes in parliament over the collapse of the case and its impact on parliament.

In his opening remarks, the speaker said: “Members will know that I have already put on record my disappointment at the dropping of espionage-related charges against two individuals on behalf of Chinese authorities.

“It’s just disappointing, but I’m very angry. It’s very important to me that everyone who works in this House can carry out their activities safely and without interference.”

Hinting that attempts would be made to reopen the case, he continued: “I continue to seek advice from the authorities on what steps can be taken to pursue the matter further.

“In other ways, I will be releasing an updated safety guide to members later today.”

In a direct message to ministers sitting in the front rows, he added: “I think there is something the government should know. This is the part of parliament that is being spied on. MPs came here. MPs’ offices were infiltrated.”

“It appears that we have now seen the cost of spying on things that I believe we should be protected against. I feel like we don’t have protection. I certainly don’t blame the minister. I know he will have a lot of answers and get a lot of questions in his testimony, but I’m going on the record. I’m angry. I let my job down by not getting that job.”