MI5 has today warned MPs that Chinese spies are attempting to infiltrate Westminster through social media.
The security services named head-hunters Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen for allegedly conducting espionage for Beijing’s intelligence ministry.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis made an urgent statement to Parliament this afternoon laying out a package to combat Chinese hostility.
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle wrote to all MPs, peers and staff this morning alerting them to the new “widespread and targeted” threat.
He said: “I am writing to you now to draw your attention to the attached Espionage Alert issued by the Security Service, MI5, to the parliamentary community.
“This Alert highlights how the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) is actively reaching out to individuals in our community.
“Their aim is to collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships, using professional networking sites, recruitment agents and consultants acting on their behalf.
“The Alert names two recruitment head-hunters: Amanda Qiu (BR-YR Executive Search) and Shirly Shen (Internship Union).”
“Both are known to be using LinkedIn profiles to conduct outreach at scale on behalf of MSS.
“The Alert also highlights that other similar profiles are acting as fronts for espionage. MI5 has issued this Alert because the activity is targeted and widespread.”
Speaking in the Commons today, Mr Jarvis pledged £170million for encrypted technology for civil servants.
He also said that spooks would give top level briefings for political parties to help them identify Chinese threats.
The security minister said: “Today we’ve taken action to expose a covert and calculated attempt by China to interfere with our sovereign affairs.
“This government’s first duty is to keep the country safe, which is why I’ve announced new action to give security officials the powers and tools they need to help disrupt and deter foreign espionage activity wherever they find it.
“As a country with a long and proud history of trading around the world, it’s in our interests to continue to seek an economic relationship with China, but this government will always challenge countries whenever they undermine our democratic way of life.”