MI5 alleged in an alert that Christine Ching Cui Lee had “secretly acted in coordination” with the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Communist Party of China (CCP) and “decided to engage in political interference activities in the UK”. Did. ”
The MI5 “interference alert,” obtained on Thursday by CNN, said: “We believe that UFWD is seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics by establishing links with established and aspiring lawmakers across the political spectrum.”
The alert also states that Lee is “facilitating financial donations to political parties, MPs, aspiring MPs and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals”. “
Lee is listed as a British citizen on the UK Companies Register.
MI5 said that while Lee has stated that his UK-based activities are “to represent and increase diversity in the UK Chinese community”, that those activities are carried out “in secret coordination with the UFWD, by foreign nationals based in China and Hong Kong”. Done with the money provided. Kong.”
CNN has contacted Lee for comment but has not received a response.
When CNN visited Lee’s offices on Thursday, they were empty and appeared to be the same for some time. A note on the door said the office had been closed due to the pandemic. No one answered the door or phone number posted at the door and an email to the general office address advertised was not answered.
Ian Duncan Smith, a senior British MP and former leader of the ruling Conservative Party, sounded the alarm in parliament on Thursday, saying MI5 had warned House Speaker Lindsay Hoyle that “an agent of the Chinese government” was actively acting. Is. “Procedures of Parliament.
“This is a matter of grave concern,” Duncan Smith said.
MI5 stated that Lee is largely “connected to individuals across the UK political spectrum, including the now-disbanded All-Party Parliamentary Chinese in Britain group, and that they seek to establish further APPGs to advance the CCP’s agenda.” can wish.”
CNN has reached out to the Chinese embassy in London for comment.
Duncan Smith asked that, in light of the incident, Parliament consider increasing security and deporting the Chinese agent. Duncan Smith said he had heard that the person would not be deported and questioned why further action would not be taken against “a foreign despot and agent of a vile power”.
“It’s definitely not good enough,” Duncan Smith said on Thursday.
MI5 said anyone contacted by Li “should be mindful of his affiliation with the Chinese state and sent to advance the CCP’s agenda in UK politics,” and contacted the Director of Parliamentary Security. to do so if they receive a “related or suspicious contact”.
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