Overview
- Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle circulated MI5’s alert naming Amanda Qiu of BR‑YR Executive Search and Shirly Shen of Internship Union as profiles used on LinkedIn for MSS outreach.
- The service said the activity is targeted and widespread, reaching MPs, peers, parliamentary staff, economists, think‑tank employees, consultants and officials because of their access and networks.
- Tradecraft cited includes cover companies and headhunters, large financial incentives, all‑expenses trips to China, and payment for non‑public information in cash or cryptocurrency.
- Security Minister Dan Jarvis announced a counter political interference and espionage plan with tougher donation vetting, stronger Electoral Commission powers, tailored security briefings and campaigns, and funding to upgrade encrypted government tech.
- China rejected the claims as fabricated, while ministers highlighted the collapse of an earlier spying case and the defence minister urged the wider public to treat suspicious online recruitment approaches with caution.