The UK government has warned that former military personnel who provide training to foreign armies may face prosecution under a new law. The National Security Act 2023, passed in July, allows for prosecution of individuals who disclose “protected information” such as tactics, techniques, and procedures. These offences were established after it was revealed that around 30 former RAF, Navy, and Army pilots had trained the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force for large sums of money. The Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, stated that anyone found to be acting against UK interests by training rival militaries can now expect to be pursued and brought to justice.
The UK has also been working with allies to address this issue internationally. The government has made rapid changes to legislation to combat this threat. Mr. Tugendhat, the Home Office’s Security Minister, warned of the growing threats from foreign states that the UK is facing, including attempts to solicit national secrets from former armed forces personnel. He emphasized that the new Act provides law enforcement and intelligence agencies with updated tools to hold responsible parties accountable. Military personnel with concerns or knowledge of suspicious activity are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Defence confidential crime line.
In addition to military personnel, the UK government has also highlighted attempts by the Chinese regime to recruit individuals in key positions with sensitive knowledge and experience. These efforts aim to gain intelligence from government officials, industry experts, and others in society. The Chinese regime has been known to use tactics such as fake LinkedIn profiles and fake companies to target thousands of people for information.
Furthermore, there have been revelations of suspected spying activities linked to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a department of the Chinese Communist Party responsible for political influence. The Conservative Party removed two potential candidates after MI5 warned about their UFWD connections. An arrest was also made of a well-connected parliamentary researcher suspected of being recruited by China. MI5 has previously raised concerns about individuals coordinating with the UFWD for covert purposes. One individual connected to a Chinese “overseas police service station” in London was found to have ties to the UFWD as well.