The warning to MEPs concerns a lawyer who has made more than € 800,000 in political donations. The lawyer allegedly intended to buy influence for China.
In Britain MI5 security service has issued an extraordinary warning to parliamentarians about buying influence in favor of China, says British newspaper The Guardian.
This is the first time that a so-called harassment warning has been issued concerning China. In the past, a similar warning has been issued only once, when it concerned Russia.
In its warning, MI5, who is in charge of internal security, claims that the lawyer Christine Lee seeks to improperly influence parliamentarians in favor of the Chinese Communist Party.
Leen allegedly “knowingly participated in secret political harassment [Kiinan kommunistisen puolueen alaisen jaoston] On behalf of the Joint Front Department ‘.
According to MI5, the Labor Department seeks to establish relations with both incumbent and future parliamentarians, with the intention of secretly influencing British politics.
Leen the law firm bearing the name has given more than € 800,000 in political donations to both the British Labor Party and the Liberal Democrats. The then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May also awarded Leelle a Points of Light award, which, however, was withdrawn after the warning was issued.
The law firm has given the largest amount in political donations to the Labor MP and former Minister of the Shadow Government To Barry Gardiner. The total amount of donations has been almost 700,000 euros.
Thursday In a statement, Gardiner said he had been in contact with the country’s security services for several years regarding Lee. According to Gardiner, security services have been “fully aware” of what this is doing Gardiner’s office and donations made by Lee to fund researchers in Gardiner’s office.
Gardiner also stresses that he and his office have followed the law and good practices when accepting donations.
Gardiner has also hired Lee’s son to work for him. However, the boy resigned after a warning from MI5, and according to Gardiner, there is no evidence that the boy played any part in his mother’s dealings.
China’s The British embassy took a stand on the warning on Thursday night, denying allegations of buying influence in any foreign country.
“We are strongly opposed to this trick of reprimand and intimidation against the British Chinese community.”
Concerns about Chinese espionage have grown in the ranks of the British intelligence service recently. Last year, head of MI6 security service Richard Moore said China has become a “top single priority” for service for the first time in history.
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