A second alleged Chinese spy has lost her legal battle with MI5 after she was accused of political interference in the UK on behalf of Beijing.
The intelligence agency said lawyer Christine Lee had “facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China”.
Ms Lee, who donated up to £500,000 to Labour MP Barry Gardiner, rejected the accusation and claimed she was used as a “political football” to distract from the Partygate scandal.
But in a judgment on Tuesday, three judges at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal unanimously dismissed her claims and said MI5 had issued the warning against her for “legitimate reasons”.
The ruling comes just days after it emerged a different alleged spy Yang Tengbo was barred from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely threaten national security.
The 50-year-old was said to have become a close confidant of Prince Andrew and was also pictured with Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.
Mr Yang was found with letters addressed to Beijing’s United Front Work Department - a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with gaining influence over foreign officials.
China has warned the UK not to “make trouble” and said it should “stop undermining normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK”.
Key Points
- Second ‘Chinese spy’ loses legal battle
- China warns UK not to ‘make trouble’ following alleged spy scandal
- Prince Andrew pulls out of royal Christmas celebrations amid Chinese spy scandal
- Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf, Ian Duncan Smith says
- UK will have consistent and strategic approach to China, security minister says
Chinese alleged spy’s identity revealed as MPs raise fears over Beijing’s reach in Britain
15:30 , Alexander Butler
‘Stop creating trouble’: China sends stark warning over Yang Tengbo spy allegations
15:00 , Alexander Butler
China warns UK ‘to stop creating trouble’ amid Prince Andrew spy row
Who is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy who was close confidant of Prince Andrew
14:30 , Alexander Butler
Who is Yang Tengbo? The alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew
Yang Tengbo isn’t just a Chinese ‘spy’ – he’s far more interesting than that
14:00 , Alexander ButlerThere is at least one line of truth in the statement by Yang Tengbo, the Chinese man named as the confidant of Prince Andrew barred from entering Britain on security grounds.
“The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue,” he said.
He is far more interesting than that. Yang is an example of a modern asset to his country. You could call him a hybrid warrior, an agent of influence or just an elite lobbyist. Spies are servants but Yang is, or was, a player.
Not for him the fieldcraft of hanging around a car park waiting for a data memory stick of interest to the Ministry of State Security. Why rummage in the dustbins when you can walk through the palace gate?
Yang Tengbo isn’t just a Chinese ‘spy’ – he’s far more interesting than that
Foreign influence scheme needed, MP says
13:21 , Alexander ButlerConservative frontbencher Alicia Kearns called on the Government to implement a register of foreign agents swiftly, as she warned of “industrialised levels of espionage and infiltration of our state and society at all levels”.
The shadow national security minister said: “The risk from the Chinese Communist Party is plain to see, why do Labour insist on ignoring it?
“We are seeing industrialised levels of espionage and infiltration of our state and society at all levels.
“We need to see FIRS (Foreign Influence Registration Scheme) implemented in full as soon as possible with China in the enhanced tier.
“FIRS is the starting point, by no means the end of the measures we need to better protect our people.”
The Prince Andrew spy scandal shows that the government doesn’t know what to do about China
12:30 , Alexander Butler
The Prince Andrew spy scandal shows we don’t know what to do about China
MI5 needs to make decision about Christine Lee, MP says
11:37 , Alexander ButlerConservative grandee Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the Government now had questions to answer about whether Christine Lee should remain in the UK after she lost her legal challenge against the intelligence services.
Sir Iain, a China sceptic senior Tory, told the PA news agency: “My question would be more to the Government. What are the intelligence services going to do now?
“Either they think that she remains a threat, in which case she shouldn’t be here, or if she is not, then they should be clear about that.”
Second ‘Chinese spy’ loses legal battle
11:04 , Alexander ButlerA second alleged Chinese spy has lost her legal battle with MI5 after she was accused of political interference in the UK on behalf of Beijing.
The intelligence agency said lawyer Christine Lee had “facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China”.
Ms Lee, who donated up to £500,000 to Labour MP Barry Gardiner, rejected the accusation and claimed she was used as a “political football” to distract from the Partygate scandal.
But in a judgment on Tuesday, three judges at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal unanimously dismissed her claims and said MI5 had issued the warning against her for “legitimate reasons”.
China warns UK ‘to stop creating trouble’ amid row over alleged spy linked to Prince Andrew
10:21 , Alexander ButlerChina has accused the UK of “creating trouble” over the Prince Andrew spy row, saying Britain should “stop anti-China political manipulations”.
A spokesperson for the country’s embassy in the UK also claimed that “anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs” have “revealed their twisted mentality towards China” and accused them of trying to “smear China” and “undermine normal personnel exchanges” between the two countries.
Last week Prince Andrew’s connections to the alleged spy became the latest scandal to engulf the Duke of York, after the man was barred from the UK because he was judged likely to pose a threat to national security.
Read the full story here:
China warns UK ‘to stop creating trouble’ amid Prince Andrew spy row
China warns UK not to ‘make trouble’ following alleged spy scandal
09:57 , Alexander ButlerChina has warned the UK not to “make trouble” after an alleged Chinese spy with close ties to Prince Andrew was barred from the UK.
The Chinese Embassy said the UK should “stop anti-China political manipulations and stop undermining normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK” following the decision.
Yang Tengbo, 50, was banned from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely pose a threat to national security.
He was found with letters addressed to Beijing’s United Front Work Department - a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with gaining influence over foreign officials - after he was detained in 2021.
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission heard that Mr Yang was able to become a close confidant of Prince Andrew and acted on his behalf with investors in China.
Chinese alleged spy’s identity revealed as MPs raise fears over Beijing’s reach in Britain
09:30 , Alexander Butler‘No plans’ to ban smacking children despite concerns over Sara Sharif case, education secretary says
09:22 , Alexander Butler
‘No plans’ to ban smacking children despite Sharif case, education secretary says
The Prince Andrew spy scandal shows that the government doesn’t know what to do about China
08:50 , Alexander ButlerThe Prince Andrew spy scandal shows we don’t know what to do about China
Who is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy who was close confidant of Prince Andrew
08:30 , Alexander ButlerWho is Yang Tengbo? The alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew
Full report: Chinese alleged spy’s identity revealed as MPs raise fears over Beijing’s reach in Britain
08:00 , Jabed AhmedYang Tengbo’s consultancy firm helped broker Prince Andrews’ former school expansion into China
07:00 , Jabed AhmedTop UK boarding school Gordonstoun – where King Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Phillip were educated – signed a deal with the alleged Chinese spy’s firm to open campuses in China.
Gordonstoun entered a partnership with the Hampton Group, a consultancy firm run by Yang Tengbo, to open up to five schools in China and Hong Kong.
A statement issued by the school in 2019 said: “In an important moment in Gordonstoun’s history, the first Gordonstoun school in China which is expected to open in 2022 has been announced. The location of the first school will be announced soon and will be chosen to enable access to green spaces and the sea both key features of a Gordonstoun education.
“This is part of a long-term multi-school agreement with Hampton Group, a specialist in fostering closer bonds between the UK and China.”
It added: “In the Hampton Group, we feel that we have found the right partner to help us introduce the unique Gordonstoun approach to China. Their commitment to character development in education shone through from the first meeting and we have been encouraged by all we have seen and heard from them in the intervening months.”
The Chinese school was initially earmarked to open in 2022, but the project was stalled due to the pandemic.
The Hampton Group, a British company founded by Yang Tengbo, provides consulting and events services to British and Chinese companies. Tengbo is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the UK business, the company said.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Yang Tengbo’s case “does not exist, sadly, in a vacuum” and China was among the states that pose a “threat” to the UK.
At a press conference in London, Mr Lammy said: “On China, I welcome the court’s decision to uphold the Home Office’s position on Yang’s exclusion.
“And where individuals pose a threat, as you would expect, the UK Government is absolutely committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.
“I raised these issues when I was in Beijing a few weeks ago.
“This case does not exist, sadly, in a vacuum. The UK is in the most complex threat environment that we’ve seen for a very significant time, including terrorism and states – including China, Iran and Russia – that pose a threat to us.
“Six individuals have been charged under our National Security Act to date. So we recognise the threat, we’ve raised it with the Chinese government, and we will act wherever we need to.”
Prince Andrew pulls out of royal Christmas celebrations amid Chinese spy scandal
05:00 , Jabed Ahmed
Prince Andrew pulls out of royal Christmas celebrations amid Chinese spy scandal
Scheme to protect UK from covert foreign influence to begin summer 2025, minister says
04:00 , Jabed AhmedA scheme designed to protect the UK from covert foreign influence will commence in summer 2025, according to the Government.
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs) was initially expected to come into force in 2024, but in August the new Labour Government confirmed a delay to its implementation.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said the Government now plans to lay the regulations in Parliament in the new year and they will take effect from the summer.
Firs is designed to combat clandestine political activity by foreign agents in the UK.
The scheme would require individuals to disclose who they are in an arrangement with, what activity they have been directed to undertake, and when the arrangement was made.
The enhanced tier gives ministers the power to require registration of a broader range of activities for specified countries, parts of countries or foreign government-controlled entities “where this is necessary to protect the safety of interests of the UK”, according to the Home Office.
Prince Andrew to step away from King’s private Norfolk residence
02:00 , Jabed AhmedIt is understood Andrew will stay away from the King’s private Norfolk residence after the controversy surrounding alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who was banned from the UK and had forged links to the Duke of York.
It is not yet known whether the duke will attend Charles’s traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended family on Thursday, which is expected to be held at Buckingham Palace.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time.
Watchdog probe urged into alleged Chinese spy linked to Duke of York
01:00 , Jabed AhmedA spy watchdog has been urged at Westminster to investigate an alleged Chinese secret agent linked to the Duke of York and other espionage claims levelled at Beijing.
Speaking in Parliament, as peers approved nominations for the ISC, which oversees the work of the UK’s spy agencies, Labour former minister Lord Foulkes of Cumnock said: “I wonder if it would be appropriate at this time to ask if it would be possible for the Intelligence and Security Committee to conduct an investigation into H6 and all the allegations of spying from China?”
Responding, leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon, said: “I don’t think it’s for the Lord Privy Seal to instruct the Intelligence and Security Committee on their business or how they conduct it but I am sure they will have taken note of the reports and are fully aware of the situation and will do whatever is appropriate.”
Yang Tengbo statement in full: Suspected Chinese spy breaks silence after being named at heart of scandal
Monday 16 December 2024 23:59 , Jabed AhmedSuspected Chinese spy breaks silence after being named at heart of scandal
What we know so far about the alleged Chinese spy with links to Andrew
Monday 16 December 2024 23:29 , Jabed AhmedHere is what we know about the businessman so far:
- Mr Yang – who is also known as Chris Yang – was born on 21 March 1974, according to information from Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).
- He studied at university in China and then worked as a junior civil servant in China for a number of years.
- Mr Yang came to the UK in 2002, studying language in London for one year, then taking a master’s degree at the University of York in Public Administration and Public Policy.
- Since at least 2005, Mr Yang has divided his time between the two countries, then was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2013.
- He is listed as a director of Hampton Group International, a business consultancy which says it acts as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.
- Mr Yang was the founder-partner of Pitch@Palace China. The Pitch@Palace initiative was the Duke of York’s scheme to support entrepreneurs.
British Company founded by Yang Tengbo issues statement
Monday 16 December 2024 23:00 , Jabed AhmedThe Hampton Group, a British company founded by Yang Tengbo, has issued a statement following the high court ruling.
The statement read: “Hampton Group is a British company employing a small number of British and Chinese nationals with the right to work in the UK. The company operates to high standards of governance and compliance according to international best practices. We pay tax in the UK and are proud to have made a positive impact on the UK economy through our work.
“Neither Hampton Group or any of its staff or associates have ever been involved in any covert intelligence gathering on behalf of the Chinese Government, or any other state. Hampton Group in the UK will continue to support its clients, helping them to achieve their commercial goals.”
The Hampton Group provides consulting and events services to British and Chinese companies. Tengbo is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the UK business, the company said.
Watch: Sir Keir Starmer urges Western allies to 'double-down' in support of Ukraine
Monday 16 December 2024 22:28 , Jabed AhmedWatch: Alleged spy Yang Tengbo appears on Chinese state TV alongside portraits of British PMs
Monday 16 December 2024 21:59 , Jabed AhmedICYMI: Every MP will have been contacted by Chinese agents, shadow home secretary warns
Monday 16 December 2024 21:28 , Jabed AhmedEvery MP will likely have been contacted by Chinese agents “at some point”, the Conservatives’ shadow home secretary has warned.
Chris Philp told the Commons: “Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern but it’s not just public organisations such as Government; it’s also businesses and universities that are being systemically infiltrated, and often intellectual property theft is at the heart of what the Chinese government are trying to achieve.
“When I was technology minister, I saw this in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and others.”
He added: “Last year, the head of MI5 Ken McCallum said that Chinese activity seeking to infiltrate our institutions is – and I quote – on an ‘epic scale’.
“Last year, there were multiple attempts by Chinese companies to get hold of sensitive technology and MI5 estimate that 20,000 individuals have been approached by Chinese agents who are trying to influence them or forge contacts in some way, and it’s likely that, at some point either in the past or in the future, every member of this House will be contacted or attempted to be contacted in one form or another.”
Security minister Dan Jarvis replied that it is “completely unacceptable that any entity, whether they be a hostile state or other, seeks to draw intellectual property out of our country”.
He reiterated that on the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs), the Government would “lay the regulations as soon as practically possible in the New Year, with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer”.
Pictured: Yang Tengbo and Prince Andrew
Monday 16 December 2024 20:58 , Jabed Ahmed
ICYMI: Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf, Ian Duncan Smith says
Monday 16 December 2024 20:29 , Jabed AhmedSir Iain Duncan Smith said Yang Tengbo “was not a lone wolf”.
“He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote ‘are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions,” he told the Commons.
The former Conservative leader continued: “Will the Government commit to putting China now in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs)? And will they do it now, no more delay, there is no need for delay... China is our most prominent security threat and all action must take priority.”
“Far from challenging China on human rights, it appears we are turning a blind eye to them. Why is that?”
Full report: Chinese alleged spy’s identity revealed as MPs raise fears over Beijing’s reach in Britain
Monday 16 December 2024 19:58 , Jabed AhmedYang Tengbo’s consultancy firm helped broker Prince Andrews’ former school expansion into China
Monday 16 December 2024 19:29 , Jabed AhmedTop UK boarding school Gordonstoun – where King Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Phillip were educated – signed a deal with the alleged Chinese spy’s firm to open campuses in China.
Gordonstoun entered a partnership with the Hampton Group, a consultancy firm run by Yang Tengbo, to open up to five schools in China and Hong Kong.
A statement issued by the school in 2019 said: “In an important moment in Gordonstoun’s history, the first Gordonstoun school in China which is expected to open in 2022 has been announced. The location of the first school will be announced soon and will be chosen to enable access to green spaces and the sea both key features of a Gordonstoun education.
“This is part of a long-term multi-school agreement with Hampton Group, a specialist in fostering closer bonds between the UK and China.”
It added: “In the Hampton Group, we feel that we have found the right partner to help us introduce the unique Gordonstoun approach to China. Their commitment to character development in education shone through from the first meeting and we have been encouraged by all we have seen and heard from them in the intervening months.”
The Chinese school was initially earmarked to open in 2022, but the project was stalled due to the pandemic.
The Hampton Group, a British company founded by Yang Tengbo, provides consulting and events services to British and Chinese companies. Tengbo is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the UK business, the company said.
The foreign secretary has said he is content “the system” had acted “appropriately” in response to allegations about Chinese spies.
Discussing wider allegations about Chinese attempts to spy on the UK, he told a press conference in London: “This is an issue I raised when I was in Beijing.
“I am content that the system, in response to what we have found, has acted appropriately on behalf of the British people.”
Profile: Who is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy who was close confidant of Prince Andrew
Monday 16 December 2024 18:36 , Jabed AhmedWho is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy
Lammy: China among the states that pose a threat to UK
Monday 16 December 2024 18:18 , Jabed AhmedForeign Secretary David Lammy said Yang Tengbo’s case “does not exist, sadly, in a vacuum” and China was among the states that pose a “threat” to the UK.
At a press conference in London, Mr Lammy said: “On China, I welcome the court’s decision to uphold the Home Office’s position on Yang’s exclusion.
“And where individuals pose a threat, as you would expect, the UK Government is absolutely committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.
“I raised these issues when I was in Beijing a few weeks ago.
“This case does not exist, sadly, in a vacuum. The UK is in the most complex threat environment that we’ve seen for a very significant time, including terrorism and states – including China, Iran and Russia – that pose a threat to us.
“Six individuals have been charged under our National Security Act to date. So we recognise the threat, we’ve raised it with the Chinese government, and we will act wherever we need to.”
Full report: Prince Andrew pulls out of royal Christmas celebrations amid Chinese spy scandal
Monday 16 December 2024 17:59 , Jabed AhmedPrince Andrew pulls out of royal Christmas celebrations amid Chinese spy scandal
EU sues UK over post-Brexit freedom of movement failures in blow to Starmer’s reset
Monday 16 December 2024 17:37 , Jabed Ahmed
EU sues UK over post-Brexit freedom of movement failures in blow to Starmer’s reset
Scheme to protect UK from covert foreign influence to begin summer 2025, minister says
Monday 16 December 2024 17:19 , Jabed AhmedA scheme designed to protect the UK from covert foreign influence will commence in summer 2025, according to the Government.
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs) was initially expected to come into force in 2024, but in August the new Labour Government confirmed a delay to its implementation.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said the Government now plans to lay the regulations in Parliament in the new year and they will take effect from the summer.
Firs is designed to combat clandestine political activity by foreign agents in the UK.
The scheme would require individuals to disclose who they are in an arrangement with, what activity they have been directed to undertake, and when the arrangement was made.
The enhanced tier gives ministers the power to require registration of a broader range of activities for specified countries, parts of countries or foreign government-controlled entities “where this is necessary to protect the safety of interests of the UK”, according to the Home Office.
Prince Andrew to step away from King’s private Norfolk residence
Monday 16 December 2024 17:00 , Jabed AhmedIt is understood Andrew will stay away from the King’s private Norfolk residence after the controversy surrounding alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who was banned from the UK and had forged links to the Duke of York.
It is not yet known whether the duke will attend Charles’s traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended family on Thursday, which is expected to be held at Buckingham Palace.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time.
Watchdog probe urged into alleged Chinese spy linked to Duke of York
Monday 16 December 2024 16:34 , Jabed AhmedA spy watchdog has been urged at Westminster to investigate an alleged Chinese secret agent linked to the Duke of York and other espionage claims levelled at Beijing.
Speaking in Parliament, as peers approved nominations for the ISC, which oversees the work of the UK’s spy agencies, Labour former minister Lord Foulkes of Cumnock said: “I wonder if it would be appropriate at this time to ask if it would be possible for the Intelligence and Security Committee to conduct an investigation into H6 and all the allegations of spying from China?”
Responding, leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon, said: “I don’t think it’s for the Lord Privy Seal to instruct the Intelligence and Security Committee on their business or how they conduct it but I am sure they will have taken note of the reports and are fully aware of the situation and will do whatever is appropriate.”
Lee Anderson thinks Yang Tengbo name was previously withheld ‘to avoid embarrassment’, although it was a court order
Monday 16 December 2024 16:30 , Jabed AhmedLee Anderson, the Reform MP for Ashfield, said: “Yang Tengbo is the alleged Chinese spy who has been stalking the corridors of power in our country and rubbing shoulders with royalty, prime ministers and business leaders. Yet his name has been withheld from the Great British public.
“Does the minister agree with me that it was only withheld to avoid embarrassment for previous Prime Ministers and business leaders and was not in the best interests of the British public?”
Dan Jarvis, the security minister, responded: “Well, I’m sure the honourable member will acknowledge that I named H6, the individual, that his reason for his original anonymity was as a result of a court order, and was not a decision by the UK Government.”
The prime minister has full confidence in the British courts, Downing Street says
Monday 16 December 2024 16:17 , Jabed AhmedThe prime minister has full confidence in the British courts, No 10 signalled, after an alleged Chinese spy said he was a victim of a political climate which had seen a rise in tensions between the UK and China.
Asked whether the Prime Minister believed the High Court had been influenced by political tensions when it lifted the anonymity order for Yang Tengbo, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “No”.
“We respect the independence of our courts and, as I say, the first duty of every Government is national security, and we welcome the court’s decision to uphold the Home Office’s position in relation to the exclusion of this individual.”
Asked whether he believed the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) was fair, the spokesman said: “Of course, and we obviously welcome the court’s decision to uphold the Home Office’s position in relation to the exclusion of this individual, as the minister has just said in the House.
“More broadly wherever there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security we will use the full range of powers available to disrupt them.”
Labour remind Tories of questionable Tory record on China
Monday 16 December 2024 16:04 , David MaddoxFormer political journalist turned Labour MP Paul Waugh remembers that in his previous career, Theresa May as prime minister was praised for sidestepping human rights issues on a trip to China.
Waugh was a journalist on the aeroplane with Baroness May at the time.
Earlier, minister Dan Jarvis pointed out that David Cameron as Tory prime minister took President Xi Jinping to the pub on a visit to the UK.
The attacks underline a problem the Tories have in trying to attack Labour now when Labour is in effect following the same policy as their predecessors.
Mr Jarvis suggests the Tories approach the subject “with humility”.
Chris Phillip: Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern
Monday 16 December 2024 16:02 , Jabed AhmedShadow home secretary Chris Phillip told the Commons: “Chinese infiltration of public organisations is of grave concern but it’s not just public organisations such as government. It’s also businesses and universities that are being systemically infiltrated and often intellectual property theft is at the heart of what the Chinese Government is trying to achieve.”
He added: The opposition will fully support the Government in working to secure our nation’s safety but in that spirit I would just ask one or two questions.
“Firstly, would he consider expediting the implementation of the foreign influence registration scheme that he referred to, and can I echo my Rt Hon friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green’s suggestion that China is placed in the enhanced deal of that?
“Secondly, will the security minister review the wisdom of the Government’s approach to China? Given what we’ve learnt and what we know, these very close relations that the Prime Minister are attempting may not be wise and the rather sycophantic approach the Prime Minister took with President Xi a few weeks ago may not be very wise in light of what we now know.”
Security minister Dan Jarvis responded: “He asked me again about Firs. I hope I’ve been able to provide some reassurance in terms of the Government’s intention to lay the regulations as soon as practically possible in the new year with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer.
“In terms of the approach to China, I don’t agree with his characterisation of the Prime Minister’s recent meeting and I will just say very gently to him, at least he didn’t take him to the pub for a pint.”
Yang Tengbo was not a lone wolf, Ian Duncan Smith says
Monday 16 December 2024 15:56 , Jabed AhmedSir Iain Duncan Smith has said Yang Tengbo “was not a lone wolf”.
“He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote ‘are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions,” he told the Commons
The former Conservative leader continued: “Will the Government commit to putting China now in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs)? And will they do it now, no more delay, there is no need for delay... China is our most prominent security threat and all action must take priority.”
“Far from challenging China on human rights, it appears we are turning a blind eye to them. Why is that?”
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle chides the government for not offering a statement to the House and instead being forced to respond to Sir Iain Duncan Smith’s urgent question.
The failure to come forward with a statement gives the impression that the government does not want to be forthcoming on the issue.
It underlines that Labour feel uncomfortable with the tightrope they are trying to walk on diplomacy with China.
UK will have consistent and strategic approach to China, security minister says
Monday 16 December 2024 15:53 , Jabed AhmedSecurity minister Dan Jarvis has insisted the UK’s approach to China will be “consistent and strategic”.
“We will challenge where we must in order to keep our country safe, compete where we need to and cooperate where we can, for example on matters like climate change,” he said.
“That is acting in the national interest and the Prime Minister reiterated this earlier today.
“However, the breadth of the threats we face from foreign states are pernicious and complex and the work of our intelligence agencies is unrivalled in mitigating them and I want to take this opportunity today in paying tribute to them and the work they do in keeping our country safe.”
He added: “When the UK’s national security is at risk, we will not hesitate to use every tool at our disposal to keep our country safe.”
Profile: Who is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy who was close confidant of Prince Andrew
Monday 16 December 2024 15:46 , Jabed AhmedWho is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about alleged Chinese spy
