← Back to House of Commons Debates
China: Foreign Interference Arrests
04 March 2026
Lead MP
Dan Jarvis
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EconomyDemocracy & ElectionsForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 31
At a Glance
Dan Jarvis raised concerns about china: foreign interference arrests in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Mr Speaker, Dan Jarvis has made a statement regarding three arrests that took place this morning as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into suspected offences under the National Security Act 2023. The arrests relate to foreign interference targeting UK democracy, specifically concerning China. Jarvis emphasised the need for the House not to hamper the work of the police or prejudice legal processes. He highlighted the Government's commitment to counter foreign interference and mentioned specific incidents such as the MI5 espionage alert and Christine Lee's activities. He confirmed that British officials have formally approached Chinese counterparts about these allegations, expressing strong concerns. Jarvis outlined measures to safeguard UK democracy, including the National Security Act, a foreign influence registration scheme, and a counter-political interference and espionage action plan. He also mentioned the Representation of the People Bill and the Philip Rycroft review of regulations and safeguards against foreign financial interference. Jarvis stressed that the UK will not trade off security for economic access and will challenge any country attempting to interfere with UK democracy. He assured the House that further steps will be taken to defend democracy and disrupt China’s interference.
Alex Burghart
Con
Brentwood and Ongar
Question
Burghart questioned whether the case involves Members of the House, and sought assurances that the Government will do everything in their power to prevent the case from collapsing and that the Chinese ambassador will be summoned and warned against aggressive interference.
Minister reply
Dan Jarvis acknowledged the questions but noted that due to the ongoing investigation, he could not comment on specifics. He emphasised the Government's commitment to tackling foreign interference and protecting UK democracy, but provided no concrete assurances regarding the specifics of the case or the Chinese ambassador.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
Redcar
Question
Maskell inquired about the specific role of the National Cyber Security Centre in the Government's response to the Chinese threat.
Minister reply
Dan Jarvis confirmed that the National Cyber Security Centre plays a significant role in the Government's strategy, including providing tailored briefings and working to strengthen the resilience of think-tanks and non-profit organisations against foreign interference.
James Daly
Lab
Rhondda
Question
Daly asked for clarity on the Government's approach to regulating foreign influence and the potential impact on the democratic process.
Minister reply
Dan Jarvis emphasised the Government's commitment to robust regulations and the foreign influence registration scheme, aiming to protect the democratic process from foreign interference.
Alex Burghart
Con
Brentwood and Ongar
Question
The MP thanked the Minister for the statement and criticised the Government's handling of Chinese interference, citing past failures such as the collapse of the previous Chinese spy case and the approval of the Chinese mega-embassy in London. He questioned the Minister on the current case involving the spouses of Labour MPs and asked for a guarantee that the case would not collapse. He also called for a commitment to place China on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme and to acknowledge the national security risk posed by China.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked the hon. Member for his questions and assured him of the Government's seriousness in addressing these matters. He stated that the defending democracy taskforce is a shared endeavour to protect democracy and that the National Security Act 2023 provides robust legislation to address threats. He also mentioned that FIRS is an important tool but that no final decisions have been made on placing other countries on the enhanced tier.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
The MP thanked the Minister for the update and inquired about the potential for more cases involving intelligence gathering by China, seeking to undermine the UK's democracy and political system.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the potential for more cases and highlighted the work being done by the defending democracy taskforce and the National Security Act 2023 to protect the UK's democracy. He also mentioned the counter-political espionage action plan and the importance of protecting institutions and elected representatives.
Lisa Smart
Lib Dem
Hazel Grove
Question
The MP thanked the Minister and expressed concerns about foreign money in UK politics and the Chinese mega-embassy. She questioned the Government's decision to allow the building of the Chinese mega-embassy and the effectiveness of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS).
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the concerns and highlighted the independent review by Philip Rycroft into foreign money in UK politics, which will inform the Representation of the People Bill. He also mentioned the national security case for the Chinese mega-embassy and referred to previous statements on the matter.
Cardiff West
Question
The MP thanked the Minister for his work on the defending democracy taskforce and raised concerns about resources needed for the police and authorities to keep constituents safe.
Minister reply
The Minister assured the MP that the police have the necessary resources and offered to meet with him at the earliest opportunity.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
The MP suggested that the Government should summon the Chinese ambassador to address the issue of the Chinese mega-embassy and the behaviour of China.
Minister reply
The Minister clarified that Chinese officials have been officially protested, both in London and Beijing. He emphasised the need for functional cooperation with China in certain areas while prioritising national security.
Karen Bradley
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
Question
The MP urged the Minister to work with parliamentary authorities to ensure that Members of Parliament are aware of the risks posed by foreign states and the steps needed to mitigate them.
Minister reply
The Minister assured the MP of the seriousness with which these matters are taken and highlighted the close working relationship with Mr Speaker and the issuing of significant guidance over the past few months.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Question
The MP inquired about the timeline for a proscription-style tool to disrupt proxy organisations undermining UK security and whether it includes the recommendations set out by Jonathan Hall.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that the Government is working on the tool and will seek to bring forward legislation at the earliest available opportunity, as recommended by Jonathan Hall.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Question
The MP raised concerns about the lack of shared understanding between the Crown Prosecution Service and the Government in the last trial of those accused of alleged espionage on behalf of China.
Minister reply
The Minister assured the MP of the commitment to ensure clear communication between the CPS and Government and highlighted the importance of keeping the Intelligence and Security Committee updated as the matter develops.
Peter Dowd
Lab
Bootle
Question
I thank the Minister for the update, and I welcome progress made on the counter-political interference and espionage plan. Would the Minister return to the House as appropriate to further update us on that plan?
Minister reply
The counter-political espionage and interference plan draws together numerous important strands of activity across Government and ensures that all that work is properly co-ordinated, and we take that very seriously. I absolutely give my hon. Friend the assurance that he seeks. We will provide updates at the earliest available opportunity, but should he or any other Members have concerns in the meantime, I would be very happy to speak to them.
Edward Morello
Lib Dem
West Dorset
Question
I praise the work of our police and our security and intelligence services in this case. I thank the Minister for his statement. Like him, I look forward to the publication of the Rycroft report. The Foreign Affairs Committee heard evidence from the Electoral Commission, as did the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy. Would the Government consider new clauses to the Representation of the People Bill to widen and strengthen the powers of the Electoral Commission and, importantly, provide it with the necessary funding to properly defend our democracy?
Minister reply
All the points that the hon. Gentleman makes are entirely sound and reasonable. He will understand that we need to wait for the Rycroft review to report; I expect that to be in just a couple of weeks. We very deliberately sequenced it so that it can make recommendations that inform proceedings on the Representation of the People Bill. He knows from contact we have had through the Joint Committee that we take these matters very seriously, and we will want to ensure that we have all the safeguards we need. I am grateful for the confirmation from his Front-Bench spokesman, the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Lisa Smart), that his party has engaged with that process, and I would be happy to discuss this further with them.
Christopher Vince
Lab Co-op
Harlow
Question
I thank my hon. and gallant Friend for the work he does—and did, in his previous career—to ensure that our country and democracy stay safe. Mr Speaker, you will be aware that democracy only happens in this place because of House staff and MPs’ staff, who make a huge difference to us and ensure that we can do our job. How will the Minister protect MPs’ staff and House staff, and ensure their security as well?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He has developed something of a knack for finding a good question that most people will have in their mind. I can give him the assurances that he seeks. It is important that we ensure that protections are in place, not only for our elected representatives—those who step forward to serve in this House and in other places—but for their staff, who work so hard and diligently to serve them. We still have a lot of work to do—that work will be led here by Mr Speaker and the Parliamentary Security Department—but the Government will work very closely alongside them, to ensure that they have the support that they need.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
The Minister spoke of “severe consequences”. Will he outline what those severe consequences might be? Does he understand that Beijing is unlikely to take that terribly seriously, given what has happened in the recent past? Will the severe consequences include putting on hold plans for the Chinese super-embassy and spy centre, pending the outcome of the Met’s investigation?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman, who is a very experienced Member of this House, will know that, given that we are referring to events that took place just a couple of hours ago, it would be unwise of me to get into further detail. On our response to the threats that we have faced over the last months, I point him to a number of measures that I have referred to. He knows, I hope, how seriously we take these matters. He and I do not agree on the embassy, but I say to him, as I have said to other hon. Members, that there is a clear national security case for the embassy proposal. The directors general of two of the security services have been clear about the national security advantages, as have I. This Government will do everything we need to do to protect our country, our national security and this place. He knows that there is a lot that I cannot say about what we intend to do, but let me be crystal clear: where malign actors—whoever they may be—seek to undermine our democracy, there will be consequences.
Luke Charters
Lab
York Outer
Question
I recently visited the Defence Intelligence Academy with the armed forces parliamentary scheme and saw at first hand that our intelligence services are the best in the business. The Government should be praised for increasing the single intelligence account in real terms. Will he commit to keeping the SIA under review, given the increasing threats around political interference, and the threat of state-sponsored terrorism from Iran?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point about the SIA. He is right that this Government have ensured that our intelligence services have access to the resources they need in a difficult and challenging world. I give him and the House an assurance that should there be a requirement for additional support, this Government will always ensure that both our police and our intelligence services have the resources they need to do the very difficult job that we ask them to do.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Question
The Government will be well aware that, through the united front, the Chinese Communist party has created a global network of individuals and organisations that act as a political weapon to isolate, neutralise or counter Beijing’s critics. Indeed, a Jamestown Foundation report published this month shows that the UK is one of the four most exposed countries, with over 400 united front-linked organisations identified here. Why do the Government continue to refuse to take the necessary action to protect the nations of these islands by placing China on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme? That scheme may be new, but if it is going to be useful, it needs to be used.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman makes some important points. He will have heard what I said about FIRS. It is an important capability, and we need ensure that it is deployed in the right way, but we have introduced a number of measures in recent months to ensure that the United Kingdom is the hardest possible operating environment for those who seek to undermine our democracy. We are doing lots of things that I am unable to talk about, but I give him the assurance that we are taking these matters incredibly seriously, and will do everything that we need to do.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Question
I have raised my concerns about foreign interference by Russia and China on many occasions, and today’s events underline why the issue is so important. I welcome the Rycroft review; it is fundamental that we get to the bottom of foreign interference in our politics. My only concern is that because the review will consider financial interference specifically, it may not have the scope to get the full facts. If that proves to be the case, will the Minister do everything in his power to ensure that we have further such work, so that we know the full extent of foreign interference in our democracy, in our elections and in this place?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to raise that point, and he has done so consistently. The Rycroft review provides a very important opportunity to take stock of the threats and challenges, and to work out how best to respond. However, I absolutely give him the assurance that he seeks; I would not want to prejudge the review, but if there are measures that are not included in it, we will of course keep an open mind about what more we need to do. We already have a number of powers, and we need to make sure that we use them to maximum effect, but where there is a requirement for new legislation, new powers or additional resources, we will not hesitate to bring them forward.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
As the Minister said, at the heart of this is the question of whether our enemies and malign actors fear the consequences of hostile acts against us. That question is why many of us say that the embassy should be paused. Why would the Chinese be worried about consequences of spying, when this week, another malign actor attempted to kill British armed forces personnel and attacked sovereign territory, but suffered no consequences? What lesson does the Minister think China will take from our failure to defend our own territory from military attack?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman raises his concerns, as he is entitled to. It was important—many would not agree—that the Prime Minister went to China to have frank conversations relating to our national security. People should understand that if they seek to commit criminal acts, attack our country or undermine our democracy, there will be consequences. This Government will ensure that this is the hardest operating environment for those people.
Richard Tice
Reform
Boston and Skegness
Question
I recently made a submission to the Rycroft review relating my concerns about Chinese communist regime influence on the Labour party. Given that we now understand that the partners of a sitting Labour MP and of a former Labour MP have been arrested today, the Minister will understand why I shall be updating that submission ahead of my meeting with the Rycroft review next week. Will the Minister confirm whether the Rycroft review can take account of these arrests, or will it need to be extended until a decision is made on whether charges are brought?
Minister reply
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for contributing to the Rycroft review, not least because he and a number of his colleagues have expert insight into the consequences of foreign interference. I hope that he has taken the opportunity to reflect on that and fed it into the review. Of course, the review is being conducted independently by Philip Rycroft and will report by the end of this month, so he will absolutely have the time and space to reflect on recent events. It is an important piece of work that will inform Government policy, not least on cracking down on all the foreign money that should not be in our politics—another matter that Reform Members know quite a bit about.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
Question
China is a risk—we have so much evidence of that—yet the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has signed an energy deal with China for co-operation on batteries, offshore wind, cables and inverters. It effectively gives China access to our energy grid—that is a massive risk. Was the Security Minister consulted by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero before the deal was signed?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises an important point. I can give her and the House the assurance that we have checks and balances in place to ensure that decisions such as the one that she refers to are made in a way that enables our continued national security. We work collaboratively across Government; it is a system that we inherited from the previous Government. We will do everything we can to ensure that we are making informed judgments. Of course, where appropriate, we will make judgments that will aid economic advantage, but underpinning all that will be decisions to ensure that nothing undermines our national security.
Luke Taylor
Lib Dem
Sutton and Cheam
Question
I join all colleagues in the Chamber in expressing my shock about the news this morning. I am also disgusted that the Chinese state has targeted the partners of sitting and former MPs. From a personal perspective, may I ask the Government and the Minister to ensure that those affected are supported, following this utterly outrageous targeting of those closest to them? On the practicalities of what this may imply, can the Minister reassure us all that if the inquiry suggests that any information accessed through a sitting or former MP affected the Government’s decision on the Chinese embassy, that decision will be paused, reviewed and potentially reversed?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot comment on specifics relating to individuals. Along with the director-general of MI5, I recently briefed the chief executives of UK political parties, including the Liberal Democrats. One point made at that briefing was that people who are involved in politics should not take the view that only those who serve in Government or in particular positions of authority and responsibility are targeted. All those involved in the wider political ecosystem are in play here, and that is an important message for people inside and outside this place to understand. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his other point. He knows the Government’s position on the embassy. There is nothing more I can say about that now.
Solihull West and Shirley
Question
I know how seriously the Minister takes national security; he will feel keenly any interference with our democracy. However, the news that officials being are démarched will be cold comfort for the 4,500 Hongkongers who live in the borough of Solihull. Can the Minister guarantee that the Chinese ambassador to the UK will be summoned by the Foreign Secretary for an interview without coffee?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is right: I do take these things incredibly seriously. I am grateful for his point about Hongkongers in his constituency. I have personally raised our concerns about arrest warrants and bounties directly with Chinese authorities, and he will have heard what I said earlier about officials being démarched. The Hongkongers make an important contribution to our country. He knows the Government’s position on transnational repression. A lot of work has taken place through the defending democracy taskforce to ensure that people are, and feel, protected, but if he thinks that we should be doing more, I would always be very happy to discuss it with him.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Question
It is a source of concern that two of the three men were arrested in Wales, and that they have close associations with the Labour party. Given that the Senedd goes to the polls in just over two months—in the shadow, of course, of the Nathan Gill scandal—what support will be given to the Electoral Commission to ensure that there are sufficient resources to safeguard those elections against the growing threat of foreign interference?
Minister reply
The right hon. Member is right to raise the importance of the work done by the Electoral Commission. It is a key member of the defending democracy taskforce, and we work closely to ensure that it has the powers it needs to do the difficult job asked of it. She will obviously understand that the Rycroft review and the Representation of the People Bill will not provide legislative change in advance of elections that are taking place in May. That is precisely why we are working closely with the devolved institutions, and we will be having further contact with them over the coming weeks, to ensure that the important elections that are taking place around the country in May do so in a fair and free environment. That is what we all want to see.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Question
Will the Security Minister confirm whether the partner of the sitting Labour MP arrested on espionage charges of spying for China had a parliamentary pass?
Minister reply
I am disappointed that the hon. Gentleman did not ask me about FIRS, because he has consistently done so and I always enjoy our exchanges. He will understand that I have come here at extremely short notice to provide an update to the House, and I cannot get into the operational details of matters that took place just a few hours ago.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Question
The Minister has said numerous times that the Government always prioritise UK national security, but those words ring hollow whenever we think of the Chinese embassy, and the fact that this Government have granted a mega-embassy close to underground cables carrying highly sensitive data. In the light of these highly concerning developments, surely the Government should show courage, strength and leadership, and with immediate effect revoke that decision in the interest of national security.
Minister reply
With great respect to the hon. Lady—I always listen carefully to what she has to say, because she represents a part of the United Kingdom that I have a long-standing interest in—she is not right in what she says about the embassy. I refer her to comments made by the Intelligence and Security Committee and the director generals of our security services. The arrangement that underpins the Chinese embassy involves the reduction of the diplomatic estate in London from seven sites down to one. I hope that when she looks at it in those terms, she will understand that there are national security advantages from that proposal.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Question
A Member of Parliament’s partner has been accused of spying for China. The Minister has been asked this several times: have the Foreign Secretary or the Home Secretary specifically asked and summoned the ambassador to come to explain themselves, and if not, why not?
Minister reply
The hon. Member will have heard from my opening remarks that Chinese officials have been démarched in both London and Beijing. I hope he will also understand that we are referencing events that happened earlier this morning.
Suella Braverman
Con
Fareham and Waterlooville
Question
As Home Secretary, I delivered the National Security Act 2023, largely because of the threat posed by China. If media reports are true, does the Minister agree that the perception of conflict of interest, compromise and bias are just as damaging as actual conflict of interest, compromise and bias? Will he reassure the House today that the Labour party will do everything and take appropriate measures to protect the probity of the investigation and maintain public confidence?
Minister reply
Of course the Government will do everything to ensure that the counter-terrorism police and intelligence agencies have whatever they need to conduct this investigation. As the right hon. and learned Lady will understand from her time as Home Secretary, that is conducted independently of Government, and it is not for the Security Minister, the Home Secretary or any Minister to get involved in the business of an investigation. That would not be appropriate, and I hope she would acknowledge that. Let me also say something positive to her. She was Home Secretary when the National Security Act 2023 was introduced, and that vital piece of legislation is making a real difference to our ability to counter those who would seek to do us harm. It is a valuable tool in our armoury, but where there is a view that we need to add more tools to that armoury, we will definitely do so.
Gregory Stafford
Con
Farnham and Bordon
Question
The name of the Labour Member of Parliament whose husband has been arrested is circulating widely via the media. I do not intend to name that Member of Parliament, but if the reports are true, that Member of Parliament sits on a Select Committee that would have sensitive, maybe even secret, information and, through totally legitimate means, has visited a number of our defence sites across the country. Has there been, or will there be, an urgent review of what sensitive information that Member of Parliament might have been party to and, at the appropriate juncture, will the Minister release any correspondence between his Department and that Member of Parliament on things such as the Chinese embassy and other matters relating to China?
Minister reply
On the hon. Gentleman’s first point, he will understand that membership of a Select Committee is not a matter for the Government, but Mr Speaker will have heard the point he raised, as have I. On his second point, he will understand that we are dealing with events that took place a couple of hours ago. I have not seen what is being reported online, because I have obviously been here, but I will give consideration to the matter he has raised.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Nobody in this House doubts the Minister's commitment to finding answers to ensure the truth is out and justice is done. The MP highlighted concerns raised by his constituents about surveillance by the Chinese Communist Party in Northern Ireland and the hacking of the website of the all-party group for international freedom of religion or belief. He raised questions about the porous border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and the need for the Government of the Republic of Ireland and the Garda Síochána to work collectively to thwart the CCP's activities.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the hon. Member's commitment to the matter and thanked him for raising important points. He stated that he would reflect more closely on the issues raised and look carefully at the need for collective work with the Republic of Ireland to address the CCP's activities.
Shadow Comment
Alex Burghart
Shadow Comment
Alex Burghart criticised the Government's policy of appeasement towards China, noting previous instances of inaction such as the collapse of a Chinese spy case and the approval of a Chinese mega-embassy in London. Burghart questioned the Minister's response to the new case, particularly regarding whether it involves Members of the House and whether the Government will prevent it from collapsing. He also sought a guarantee that the Chinese ambassador will be summoned and warned against aggressive interference. Burghart further asked for a commitment to place China on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme and to publicly acknowledge China’s threat to UK national security. He expressed concern about the Government’s previous failure to act decisively and hoped that this time they would.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.