The head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum, issued a stark warning on Thursday, asserting that China poses a daily threat to the UK’s national security. His remarks come amid growing scrutiny over the collapse of a high-profile espionage case involving two men accused of spying for Beijing. The case against academic Christopher Berry and parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash, charged under the Official Secrets Act, was dropped last month, sparking a blame game among government officials, opposition leaders, and prosecutors. McCallum revealed that MI5 had recently intervened to thwart a threat from China, emphasizing Beijing’s involvement in cyberespionage, technology theft, and covert interference in UK public life. He described the UK-China relationship as a ‘complex’ mix of risk and opportunity, urging robust action against national security threats. Meanwhile, the Labour Party government, in power since last year, has sought to cautiously reset ties with China despite ongoing tensions over spying allegations, human rights concerns, and China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war. McCallum also highlighted escalating threats from Russia and Iran, citing a 35% increase in espionage investigations and the use of ‘ugly methods’ like sabotage and violence. The Chinese Embassy has dismissed the allegations as ‘malicious slander,’ while the accused deny any wrongdoing.
MI5 chief says China is a daily threat to Britain’s security as spying case collapsed
