MI5 Thwarted Chinese Plot To Attack Britain’s National Security

The head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, has pledged that Britain’s internal intelligence service will always stand firm against the increasing security challenge presented by China, while also voicing disappointment over the failure of a prominent Chinese espionage case.

Speaking at his yearly threat evaluation at Thames House, London, Sir Ken reiterated his dedication to protecting the UK from state-sponsored dangers, identifying China, Russia, and Iran as key opponents.

“I am MI5 born and bred. I will never back off from confronting threats to the UK, wherever they come from,” he declared.

His remarks come after the controversy surrounding the Crown Prosecution Service’s choice to abandon charges against two individuals, Christopher Cash, director of the China Research Group think tank, and Christopher Berry, a parliamentary researcher, who were alleged to have shared secrets with a Chinese agent known as “Alex.”

The CPS stated it could not proceed with the prosecution because the government had not formally classified China as an enemy state, a necessity under the Official Secrets Act.

Sir Ken characterized the case as a “strong disruption in the interests of UK national security,” adding that he was “frustrated” when opportunities to prosecute hostile activities were not pursued. However, he pointed out that “it is not MI5’s job to bring prosecutions” and mentioned that it was not unusual for effective disruptions not to lead to courtroom proceedings.

Addressing wider issues, Sir Ken disclosed that MI5 had acted operationally just last week in a suspected Chinese scheme targeting UK interests, though he refused to share specifics.

He described the UK-China relationship as “complex by nature,” but MI5’s responsibility remained straightforward: “We detect and deal robustly with activity threatening national security.”

According to him, Chinese state actors are involved in cyber espionage, academic infiltration, and attempts to weaken UK public life, while also harassing dissidents overseas — including Hong Kong activists targeted with bounties.

“When it comes to China, the UK needs to defend itself resolutely against threats and seize the opportunities that demonstrably serve our nation,” Sir Ken said.

He disclosed that MI5 is now examining a third more individuals suspected of working for hostile states compared to a year ago.

Regarding Russia, Sir Ken stated that the Kremlin continues to employ sabotage, intimidation, and propaganda to destabilise the West amid its struggling invasion of Ukraine. “Russia-based figures are trying, and mainly failing, to sow the seeds of violence, chaos, and division here in the UK,” he said.

He also highlighted the ongoing threat from Iran, noting that MI5 had looked into more than 20 potentially deadly Tehran-backed plots against dissidents and Jewish targets in Britain over the past year.

Sir Ken said rising state threats and global instability have caused the largest change in MI5’s mission since the 9/11 attacks, when counterterrorism became its primary focus.

He revealed that MI5 has stopped 19 late-stage terrorist plots since 2020 and prevented hundreds more at earlier stages. He also warned that remnants of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State were “regrouping and becoming more ambitious,” using online platforms to recruit and radicalise individuals in the West.

“Terrorism breeds in squalid corners of the internet where poisonous ideologies, of whatever sort, meet volatile, often chaotic individual lives,” he said.

Sir Ken observed that one in five of the 232 terrorism-related arrests last year involved suspects under 17, leading MI5 to establish a new Interventions Centre of Expertise to address the risks posed by radicalised youth.

He concluded by underscoring that MI5’s efforts remain as crucial as ever in what he termed “a more hostile world,” highlighting the agency’s resolve to protect the UK from both foreign espionage and terrorism.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli