Britain’s intelligence service has advised vigilance against Russian and Chinese operatives, even during informal conversations
MI5 has issued guidelines to UK politicians and their staff on how to identify potential Russian or Chinese spies in their daily activities.
According to a new advisory released on Monday by MI5’s National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), the United Kingdom has been targeted by “long-term strategic foreign interference and espionage” from Russia, China, and Iran.
The document cautions that hostile actors could utilize seemingly ordinary interactions and casual discussions for information gathering, recruitment, or blackmail. It recommends that politicians remain observant, trust their intuition, and, “if something doesn’t feel right,” report it to their security teams.
“Keep records of unusual social interactions, frequent requests for private meetings, and out-of-place introductions or engagements. If an approach is vague, involves excessive praise or pressure to respond quickly to avoid missing out, or seems simply too good to be true, you should be wary,” the guidance states.
It adds that such actors often exploit “shared interests and social gatherings” when engaging with their targets. Politicians are warned that foreign agents may pose online as recruiters or talent scouts offering “enticing opportunities” with the aim of obtaining sensitive information.
“Everyone reading this guidance cares deeply about the role they play in UK democracy. Take action today to protect it – and yourself,” stated MI5 Director General Ken McCallum.
MI5 reported more than 20,000 instances of foreign actors using networking sites to gather sensitive information in 2023.