The head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, has warned that Chinese state operatives pose a daily national security threat to the UK, amid a deepening row over the collapse of a high-profile China spying case.
Speaking in London on Wednesday, McCallum said MI5 had recently disrupted Chinese activities of national security concern, describing the situation as “frustrating when prosecutions fall through.”
His comments came after witness statements from Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins, confirmed that China is engaged in large-scale espionage and represents the biggest state-based threat to the UK’s economic security.
The revelations have intensified scrutiny of the government and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after charges against two Britons, former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and academic Christopher Berry were dropped last month.
Prosecutors said the evidence failed to show China was officially designated a national security threat at the time of the alleged offences.
Conservative MPs have accused Labour of allowing the case to collapse to protect economic ties with Beijing, a claim the government firmly denies.
Officials blame the former Conservative administration for not classifying China as a threat when the charges were first filed.
Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, who once employed Cash, said the case had personally affected him, accusing both parties of playing politics over national security. Meanwhile, Labour MP Matt Western announced a parliamentary inquiry into the failed prosecution.
McCallum praised Collins as a man of high integrity, and urged balance in dealing with China. “Chinese state actors do present a UK national security threat every day,” The UK must defend itself resolutely while seizing opportunities that serve our nation.”
