Archive · 19 Nov 2025
MI5 Warns MPs of Chinese Espionage via LinkedIn
The UK's security service, MI5, has warned members of parliament that Chinese agents are trying to connect with them on LinkedIn to gather information.
This comes after charges against two British men accused of spying for China were dropped.
MI5 says Chinese state actors pose a daily threat to UK national security.
MI5 issued an espionage alert warning MPs about Chinese agents collecting information via LinkedIn
Chinese Ministry of State Security is actively reaching out to individuals in the parliamentary community
Their aim is to collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships
Charges against two British men accused of spying for China were dropped weeks ago
MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum confirmed Chinese state actors pose a daily national security threat
- Who
- MI5, members of parliament, Chinese agents, Christopher Cash, Christopher Berry, Ken McCallum
- What
- Espionage alert issued, information collection attempts via LinkedIn, charges dropped
- When
- Tuesday, weeks ago
- Where
- House of Commons, Ministry of Defence
- Why
- To collect information and lay groundwork for long-term relationships, pose a national security threat
UK Government
Chinese Government
Espionage Allegations
UK Government
UK's MI5 warns MPs about Chinese agents collecting information via LinkedIn
Chinese Government
Chinese government calls the claims false and 'malicious', denies any wrongdoing
- Security Service
- MI5
- Country Involved
- China
- Platform Used
- Aim of Chinese Agents
- Collect information and lay groundwork for long-term relationships
- Charges Dropped Against
- Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry
- Threat Level
- Daily national security threat
Sources
Chinese spy risk? Britain's security service issues espionage alert, warns lawmakers — ‘Aim is to collect information’
Britain’s MI5 spy service warns lawmakers of Chinese spy risk
MI5 warns lawmakers that Chinese spies are trying to reach them via LinkedIn
MI5 spy service warns UK lawmakers Chinese spies posing as headhunters
How China is using LinkedIn ‘headhunters’ to spy on British lawmakers
