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Is no one concerned about the Chinese agent who infiltrated parliament?

60 replies

Whattochoosenow · 13/01/2022 22:57

Everyone is so concerned about Boris and his parties, yet meanwhile we have news of a Chinese agent who infiltrated parliament to establish links for the CCP, and who donated nearly half a million pounds to MP Barry Gardiner. It’s barely even making headlines but this is potentially a huge national security breach.

MI5 warning over 'Chinese agent' in Parliament www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59984380

OP posts:
TheHairyDinosaur · 14/01/2022 13:27

I read this yesterday evening it was no 3 on the BBC news app, I think Andrew was first and Boris second.

It all just seems bizzare. The MP in question received £420,000 in donations from her, reported and recorded them all, was aware of the security grey area surrounding her, still took her money and then just sort of kept an eye on her.

Now that it looks like they have taken enough if her money they've outed her whilst pocketing £420k.

I mean I'm not sure if it's clever or stupid. Still £420k up though isn't he.

Isaw3ships · 14/01/2022 14:20

Lobbyists spend waaayyy more than that, you have to wonder what they really get back fro their money…

britneyisfree · 14/01/2022 14:55

@Tealightsandd

People sometimes slag off donkeys (by comparing them to governments).

Lions are lovely, but actually so are donkeys. And I think we'd do far better with actual donkeys in charge than many of the humans we have.

Donkeys are strong but gentle, hardworking, loyal, and kind.

I feel like I should nc to donkeysarelovely

I want some of what your smoking Blush

anniegun · 14/01/2022 15:01

The Tory party are funded by Russians and BJ put one in the House of Lords. So this is pretty small fry in comparison

Mundra · 14/01/2022 15:06

[quote Isaw3ships]@Mundra from HK but lived in Britain for 50 years…came to U.K. as a child.[/quote]
I realise that- she came to UK before I was born! But my BFF is from HK, and trust me, their family has absolutely no positive feelings about the Chinese authorities whatsoever!

PerkingFaintly · 14/01/2022 15:26

I notice she was using an All Party Parliamentary Group, called "Chinese in Britain", which has now been disbanded.

All Party Parliamentary Groups have been flagged as the latest vehicle for entities trying to influence MPs and policy. Chris Bryant has been looking into them in his role as chair of the Commons standards committee.

All-party groups: The source of the next Westminster lobbying scandal?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59307270

He does not want to see APPGs banned, but he says he wants to make it easier to find out who is funding them and why. Under the current system, most of the groups do not produce, or make readily available, a detailed breakdown of their funding and spending.
[...]
APPGs are informal committees set up by MPs and peers with a shared interest, ranging from leisure pursuits such as jazz, beer or campsites to serious policy areas like coronavirus, cancer and migration. They can set up meetings with ministers, publish reports and hold evidence sessions - but they should not be confused with select committees. Unlike select committees, they have no official status and are not funded by taxpayers. The number of APPGs has dramatically increased in recent years - there are currently 744 of them, according to the official register, more than three times the number of select committees - and so has the amount of money going in to them. Most APPGs do not receive any funding, but a growing number are sponsored by companies, campaign groups or charities to cover running costs and foreign trips.

Lonelycrab · 14/01/2022 15:56

Barely made the headlines lol

Mail online were running the top 4 or 5 stories on exactly this. Of course nothing on Johnson and his shenanigans until you scrolled halfway down.

Russian influence on this country has had a far more influence on this country over the past decade, and it’s been encouraged by this government.

Eve · 14/01/2022 16:01

Wasn't this a story in the times in 2017 - if she was that big a threat wouldn't she have been removed by now?

Complete dead cat and desperation grabbing by the Tory media and those who cant see beyond the dailymail seeking any kind of distraction story.

TheHamburgler · 14/01/2022 16:01

Unless some shocking new details emerge, it just doesn’t seem like much of a story to me. Not sure what I’m missing.

PerkingFaintly · 14/01/2022 19:23

@Likkleredridinghood

He has released a full and frank statement, MI5 fully informed right from the start. Whereas the money the tories have received from russian donors is not so easily explained, holidays, entry to the HoLs. Recently there was a C4 programme all about it and it's trail was not as transparent.
This.

So, yep, OP, I am very interested in the release of this story about a Chinese agent attempting to infiltrate parliament – because it makes it open season to discuss the Russians.

At long last.

(And indeed any other major foreign power trying to buy influence in the UK govt, but clearly adversaries are a priority.)

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