Ministers warned Chinese spies are entering UK after getting citizenship in countries that have visa-free travel to Britain with fears Russian spies could do the same
- Home Office is preparing new visa restrictions on countries exploited by China
- But Foreign Office has been accused of blocking move amid row over visa rules
By Harriet Line Deputy Political Editor
Published: 00:12 BST, 12 April 2023 | Updated: 00:20 BST, 12 April 2023
Chinese spies are slipping into Britain after gaining citizenship in countries which allow visa-free travel to the UK, ministers have been warned.
The Home Office is preparing new visa restrictions on a series of countries being exploited by the Chinese in response to the concerns, The Times reported.
But the Foreign Office has been accused of blocking the move amid a row over visa rules – leading some in Government to nickname Foreign Secretary James Cleverly ‘Mr Softy’.
The Times said that MI5 has provided evidence that citizens from hostile states, such as China, have arrived in Britain after acquiring citizenship in third countries and using their visa-free access to the UK.
MI5 is said to be concerned that this includes agents working for the Chinese state, and is worried Russian spies could emulate the practice.
But the Foreign Office has been accused of blocking the move amid a row over visa rules – leading some in Government to nickname Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (pictured) ‘Mr Softy’
The Times said that MI5 has provided evidence that citizens from hostile states, such as China , have arrived in Britain after acquiring citizenship in third countries and using their visa-free access to the UK (file image)
Authorities fear countries that are being exploited include Vanuatu in the South Pacific, Namibia in southern Africa and Timor-Leste in southeast Asia.
They allow foreign nationals to acquire citizenship by investing or paying a relatively small amount of money in the country – and their citizens do not need a visa to come to Britain for up to six months.
A Government source told The Times: ‘The Home Office and Foreign Office are fighting this one out. It keeps happening. One won’t budge without concessions from the other and we can’t seem to resolve it.
‘The Home Office thinks the other is soft, and the Foreign Office thinks they’re too cautious. There’s some truth in both those arguments.’
But the Foreign Office downplayed the row. A source said: ‘Using appropriate and normal government channels, a plan was put to us and we responded not with any ‘block’ but a request for a short delay in only one instance.
‘As far as we are concerned, the discussions thus far have been conducted by both departments in the appropriate way and in a normal tone that could not be characterised accurately as a ‘row’.’
A Home Office spokesman said: ‘The Government keeps the UK’s visa regime under regular review, based on the latest information and intelligence.’
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