Britain plans more to tackle China’s ‘covert activities’, says MI5 spy chief Ken McCallum
- Domestic spy chief says his agency is defending British scientists against hostile powers seeking to steal or sabotage coronavirus vaccine research
- UK government reportedly planning to give ministers power to unravel foreign investments in British firms to stop hostile states gaining control of key assets
The head of MI5 said Britain’s domestic spy agency wants to “do more” to tackle Chinese activities that threaten the intellectual property of UK companies and universities.
In his first public remarks since taking on the role earlier this year, Ken McCallum said he would “carefully” prioritise the agency’s resources against China’s “covert activities”.
He also told reporters on Wednesday that he wanted Britain to be able to intervene earlier when risks to critical national infrastructure are spotted – before the government is forced to use a “sledgehammer” in a crisis.
McCallum was speaking as the government drafts a new National Security and Investment Bill, which is expected to be published this month and cover deals in sectors such as defence and critical infrastructure, and will make provisions to protect sensitive intellectual property.
If … the question is which state will be shaping our world across the next decade, presenting big opportunities and big challenges for the UK, the answer is China
People familiar with the plans say Boris Johnson’s government is planning to give ministers the power to unravel foreign investments in British companies, potentially even on deals that have been closed, to stop hostile states gaining control of key assets.