As the communist regime attempts to influence UK politics towards Beijing, MPs should expect MI5 warnings from MI5 about Chinese spying to become more commonplace. Priti Patel today warned that this is what MPs can look forward to.
Following the scandal over access to Christine Lee’s lawyer, the Home Secretary spoke before the Commons. She was exposed last week as a Chinese agent.
Birmingham-based Ms. Lee donated thousands to Labour, Conservatives, and Liberal Democrats.
Security service alerted that the mother, a married mother of two living in Coleshill (a privileged suburb in Birmingham), was “knowingly engaged in political interference actions for the United Front Work Department. The Chinese Communist Party”. None of the politicians have been accused of criminal activity.
Ms. Patel spoke to the Commons today. She stated: “We can expect these alerts to become more commonplace because of the work by our world-class intelligence agency who have adapted in order to counter these emerging threats.”
In the aftermath of the revelations about access granted to Christine Lee (a Chinese agent), the Home Secretary addressed the Commons.
Ms. Patel spoke to the Commons today. She stated: “We can expect these alerts to become more commonplace because of the work by our world-class intelligence agency who have adapted in order to counter these emerging threats.”
She added: ‘In this case, the aim was to make the UK political landscape more favourable to the Chinese authorities’ agenda and to challenge those… who raise concerns about the Chinese authorities’ activities on very pressing issues such as human rights.
“I’m shocked, along with all the other members, that someone who knew he was engaging in political interference activities for the Chinese Communist Party has targeted this House’s members.
Ms Lee, is a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. Her title is secretary to the Inter-Party China Group, Westminster.
She has donated more than £500,000 to Jeremy Corbyn ally Barry Gardiner, including around £200,000 used to pay staff ages.
Daniel Wilkes, her son worked in his office. Today, Mr Gardiner confirmed that Daniel Wilkes had resigned. He has now had privilege access to the Parliamentary Estate with a staff pass. It is not clear that he participated in the mother’s activities.
Gardiner supports China’s efforts to become more involved in Britain’s nuclear industry including Hinkley Point.
Reports also state that she donated thousands more pounds to the Labour Party. Five years ago, questions were raised about her funding. However, no actions were taken.
As well as embarrassment for Labour Ms Lee’s firm also donated £5,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and another £5,000 to now party leader Ed Davey in 2013, when he was energy minister in the coalition government.
Her links also include the Conservatives. She appears to have also developed a good relationship with David Cameron while he was prime minister. The British Chinese Project awarded her a Points of Light Award in January 2019.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the information the Speaker received from the Security Service was clearly extremely grave and condemned in the strongest terms any attempts by China interfere with Britain’s democratic processes.
“Clearly, the work has been important. But I am concerned that this would mean that both the Home Secretary (and the Home Office) were indifferent to the situation. We have received a number of warnings regarding attempts by Russia and China in order to interfere in reports from both Russia and from the Committee on Standards in Public Life. This includes concerns about foreign money.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the information the Speaker received from the Security Service was clearly extremely grave and condemned in the strongest terms any attempts by China interfere with Britain’s democratic processes.
Christine Lee, age 58, was the Chinese Communist Party’s solicitor and announced plans to elect young Chinese leaders after she was appointed as a ‘legal adviser to the Chinese embassies’
Yesterday, it was discovered that she boasted of her plans to put Chinese MPs into the Commons back in 2007.
Christine Lee (58), a solicitor who was posed as an agent for the Chinese Communist Party, has announced a plan to put young politicians into power, after she was appointed “legal advisor” to the Chinese Embassy.
This mother-of-two’s “political interference actions” appear to have been going back fifteen years. She announced her plan to elect the first British-Chinese politician just hours after she landed from Beijing on a 13-hour flight.
We have been silent too long. Time Out London told her that they will not remain silent. ‘Chinese here don’t do [British] politics.
To be heard and seen, we must use our voices.
She spoke of her role as an adviser at the London Embassy on her website.
This comes after a former MI5 head accused ministers for failing to take action on warnings she might have given her about infiltrating Westminster.
Lord Evans of Weardale was the MI5 chief between 2007-2013. He also stated to The Sunday Times, that foreign interference poses a threat to democracy.
Chinese diplomats have rejected these claims and stated that China abides by the principle “non-interference” in internal affairs of other countries.