Alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew is ‘tip of the iceberg’, warns former Tory chief – newest information | EUROtoday

China’s espionage community is assiduously making ready the bottom – to not strike on the United Kingdom, however to make sure its passivity within the occasion of conflict in opposition to the United States, writes Michael Sheridan

Former Tory chief Sir Iain Duncan Smith mentioned there’s “nothing wrong” with the overseas affect registration scheme (Firs), which might require people to reveal who they’re in an association with, what exercise they’ve been directed to undertake, and when the association was made.

Responding to a remark from a Home Office supply, who advised the Guardian that the Conservatives had not left the scheme in a match state to be enacted however that it’s nonetheless the Government’s intention for it come into drive, he advised BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is nothing wrong with the foreign influence registration scheme.

“‘It’s not fit for purpose’, I don’t believe a word of that, nobody with half a brain will believe a word of that. The reality is, it’s an excuse not to upset China.

“We are now seen, I think, by our five eyes security partners, as the soft underbelly of that alliance and that’s a real worry.”

Former Tory chief Sir Iain Duncan Smith mentioned there are “many, many more” like H6, the alleged Chinese spy, within the UK.

The MP is making use of for an pressing query within the Commons on the affect of Beijing’s shadowy United Front Work Department, the group mentioned to be related to the unnamed man.

He advised BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’re dealing with the tip of the iceberg. The fact is there are many more like him (H6) in the UK.

“There are many more doing the job that he’s been doing, and the fact he was leaving the UK tells you that he realised at some point he was going to get caught.

“The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage that’s taking place. The reality for us is very simple – China is a very clear threat.”

Former safety minister Tom Tugendhat has mentioned that allegations {that a} Chinese spy grew to become near the Duke of York are the “tip of the iceberg”.

After experiences that the alleged spy had met Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May, Mr Tugendhat was requested on BBC Breakfast how nervous he was that Chinese spies had acquired inside attain of senior Tories throughout his time in authorities.

The Conservative MP mentioned: “I’m sure it’s happening now. I’m absolutely certain that there are members of the United Front Work Department who are active right now in attempting to influence journalism, academics, politics, and the whole lot. This is really the tip of the iceberg.

“And so the story I can understand why it’s been about Prince Andrew, but it’s not really about Prince Andrew. It’s about the way the Chinese Communist Party is seeking to exert influence here in the United Kingdom.”

He didn’t say whether or not he thought the alleged spy must be named in Parliament, saying as a substitute that the vital factor was to grasp the extent of risk and reply to it.

He urged the Government to introduce the overseas affect registration scheme and put China on the improved tier of it.

Ministers are underneath rising strain to behave after an alleged Chinese spy grew to become an in depth confidant of the Duke of York and reportedly met two former prime ministers, as MPs threatened to call him if the courts don’t.

Former Tory chief Sir Iain Duncan Smith accused a “weak” Labour authorities of not desirous to be seen to criticise China, whereas the shadow overseas secretary Priti Patel mentioned the general public deserved to know the “full facts” behind the case, warning “we cannot turn a blind eye”.

Chris Philp, the shadow residence secretary, mentioned the courts ought to identify him. “The spy should be named – I hope the court change or cancel their anonymity order. There may be other people who have had contact with that person,” he mentioned.

As calls mounted, Lord Patten, the final governor of Hong Kong accused the federal government of being “too soft” on China and urged ministers to set out a “pretty clear statement” on their coverage in direction of the state. The calls for got here as residence secretary Yvette Cooper claimed the federal government’s strategy was “complex” as a result of Britain wanted to have financial cooperation with China – at the same time as she warned the communist state the UK would take a “very strong approach” to nationwide safety.

Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin experiences:

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s stay politics weblog.

We’ll convey you all the most recent as MPs think about naming H6, the alleged Chinese spy with hyperlinks to Prince Andrew, and the federal government faces rising calls to toughen its stance in opposition to Beijing.