Chinese spies accused of using LinkedIn to target MPs for intelligence gathering | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMillie Cooke & David MaddoxWednesday 19 November 2025 00:35 GMTAttorney General hits out at 'disgraceful allegations' over China spy caseMI5 has issued an alert warning that Chinese spies are using LinkedIn, posing as headhunters, to target UK Members of Parliament and government officials for intelligence gathering.Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle identified specific profiles, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, as being used by the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) to interfere with parliamentary processes.Security minister Dan Jarvis condemned China's "covert and calculated" attempts to interfere in UK affairs, vowing to protect against its "dangerous and unrestrained offensive cyber ecosystem".The Chinese embassy in the UK dismissed the allegations as "pure fabrication and malicious slander", branding them "a charade".The UK government announced a new Counter Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan, including significant investment in security and intelligence, and is considering classifying China as an enhanced-tier threat following a recently collapsed espionage trial.In fullMI5 issues new China espionage warning after spies pose as headhunters on LinkedIn to target MPsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in