Ken McCallum, director of MI5, warned that the Communist Party represents a “strategic game-changing challenge” for the UK, adding: “It is very surprising that she is willing to do so potentially and at the start of her political career on the ground to invest in the training of people.” .
Specifically, the M15 secretly warned the Conservative Party that two of its potential MP candidates could be spies for the Chinese state.
According to a Times report, British intelligence contacted the Conservatives about two people in 2021 and last year and warned them that they should not be on the central list of candidates.
One of the targets is 28-year-old Chris Cash, who studied in China before working at Westminster as a researcher for Alicia Kearns, chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
Cash issued a statement saying he was “totally innocent,” adding that the allegations “go against everything I stand for” and that he had instead spent his career “challenging and threatening others.” by the Chinese Communist Party.”
“It was made very clear that they posed a risk,” said a source consulted by British media. “They were later excluded from the candidate list (but) they were not told why.”
Details of the alleged attempt to infiltrate Conservative ranks emerged after a parliamentary official linked to the Conservatives was arrested on suspicion of espionage.
The Conservative Party says its candidates are vetted and subject to criminal background checks and an “in-depth” due diligence report. She added: “When we receive credible information about potential candidates’ safety concerns, we act accordingly.”
As The Times recalls, the House of Commons Intelligence and Security Committee released a report in July that said China was attacking the UK “frequently and aggressively” but that government departments did not have the “resources, experience or knowledge” to do so. to deal with danger.
