In a significant diplomatic exchange, Rishi Sunak, has raised concerns with Chinese Premier Li Qiang regarding alleged Chinese interference in the United Kingdom’s parliamentary democracy. This conversation follows the recent arrests of two individuals under the Official Secrets Act amid reports that a parliamentary researcher may have been involved in espionage activities on behalf of China.
The parliamentary researcher, a man in his 20s, is believed to have had connections with prominent UK figures, including Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Alicia Kearns, along with other senior members of the Conservative Party.
Mr. Sunak engaged in discussions with Premier Li Qiang during the G20 summit in India, where Li Qiang was representing President Xi Jinping. The meeting took place during the final session of the summit on Sunday morning. Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Sunak expressed his “very strong concern” regarding interference in parliamentary democracy, which he deemed “obviously unacceptable.”
He stressed the importance of engaging directly with China’s premier, emphasising that addressing areas of disagreement required face-to-face dialogue. Mr. Sunak’s diplomatic approach reflects the seriousness of the situation and underscores the need for a cooperative resolution.
The arrests in question took place back in March but were brought to public attention recently by The Sunday Times. The nature of the allegations and the extent of the espionage activities are yet to be fully disclosed.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, speaking on Sky News’ “Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips,” reiterated that China represents an “epoch-defining” challenge. He defended the security measures in the UK Parliament, highlighting the rigorous process for granting parliamentary passes.
When questioned about potential security weaknesses that need addressing, Mr. Chalk stated, “I don’t think you should rule anything out.” He also emphasised that officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, responsible for espionage-related offences, are actively investigating the matter.
Mr. Chalk stressed the seriousness of the investigation, emphasising that it must “play through,” and that both the police and security services are treating it with the utmost gravity. He also expressed confidence that any necessary lessons for parliamentary authorities will be learned from this incident.
