David Cameron has scolded the Chinese Ambassador for allowing “espionage” to take place in the UK, following the arrest of three men who were charged with allegedly spying on behalf of Hong Kong’s intelligence service.
Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, are accused of spying on and harassing pro-democracy Hong Kongers in the UK.
The three have also been charged with foreign interference by forcing entry into a British address, under the same Act, the Metropolitan Police said.
Lord Cameron summoned Zheng Zeguang, the Chinese Ambassador to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) earlier today.
A spokesperson for the department said: “The FCDO was unequivocal in setting out that the recent pattern of behaviour directed by China against the UK including cyber-attacks, reports of espionage links and the issuing of bounties is not acceptable.
The Chinese ambassador has been given a dressing down by David Cameron for 'espionage' after three men were charged with spying on pro-democracy Hong Kongers in the UK
PA/Getty
“The summons followed Monday’s announcement that three people have been charged with offences under the National Security Act as part of an investigation led by officers from the Met Police’s Counter Terrorism Command. The foreign intelligence service to which the charges relate is that of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.”
Two of the three accused work for British Government bodies; Wai, for the UK's Border Force at Heathrow Airport, and Trickett, who is a Home Office immigration enforcement officer.
Wai is also a city of London special constable and founder of a private security firm, whilst Trickett is a former Royal Marines commando.
While the third man charged, Yuen, works as an office manager at Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Office.
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Matthew Trickett, Chi Leung Wai and Chung Biu Yuen (in order) pictured outside Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterdayPA
Lord Cameron said the recent incident was 'unacceptable'
PAThe three men appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon.
Rishi Sunak has applauded the police for the charging of the trio under the National Security Act.
His spokesperson said: “The charging of the three individuals under the National Security Act is deeply concerning and the PM thanks the police for their work keeping us safe.”
He said he could not comment further on the case, but added: “More broadly, we are continuously monitoring possible espionage routes.
The Chinese Embassy in London
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“We have taken unprecedented steps to protect the UK from interference through the National Security Act to deter states from operating against the UK, but as you can appreciate I can’t get into the details on this specific case.”
Reacting to the charges, the Chinese embassy in London said: “We strongly condemn the UK’s unwarranted accusation against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.”
John Lee, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, called on British authorities to give full information on the arrests of the men.
He rejected what he calls “the UK's fabrication” of the case and its “unwarranted accusation” against the Hong Kong government.
The Chinese embassy said the case could jeopardise China-UK relations, which have soured following mass pro-democracy protests in the territory in 2019 and 2020. The UK has said that the passing of a new national security law violated guarantees of freedom made by China when Britain handed the territory over in 1997.
In a statement, the Chinese embassy condemned the UK’s actions after ambassador Zheng Zeguang was summoned to the Foreign Office.
A spokesperson said: “During the meeting, Ambassador Zheng made further serious representations to the UK side on the UK’s wrongful behaviour, including its unwarranted accusation against the (Hong Kong) government, and refuted the excuses made by the UK side.
“He was unequivocal that the UK must stop anti-China political manoeuvring and not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardising China-UK relations.”
The statement added: “Ambassador Zheng urged the UK side to immediately correct its wrongdoing, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, stop spreading lies about so-called ‘China threat, stop its provocations against China and stop its arbitrary law enforcement against Chinese citizens in the UK.
“We want to make it clear to the UK side: any move to interfere in China’s internal affairs and undermine our interests will be met with a firm response.
“The UK side must not go further down the dangerous path of jeopardising China-UK relations.”
