Commons at risk from ‘foreign actors’ after China spy case dropped, says Speaker

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the move to drop charges against two men accused of espionage left the House open to interference from “foreign actors”. (House of Commons/PA) - (PA Archive)

UK Parliament has been left vulnerable to “foreign actors” after charges against two men suspected of spying for China were dropped, the Speaker of the House of Commons has warned.

Speaking to The Times, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the decision effectively gave Beijing “licence to operate” within Parliament, after the men were alleged to have targeted the China Research Group of MPs.