Suspected Chinese spies who were “potential candidates” to become MPs were “removed” by the Conservative Party after a Security Service warning.
In 2021 and again in 2022 MI5 warned the Tories that the two candidates must not be included on the Conservatives central list of “potential candidates.”
Health minister Maria Caulfield told Times Radio, “I think, whichever party is in government, there will always be those who are trying to target it, either to get information or to influence.
“The story that we have heard about today, about the candidates who the Conservative Party were warned about, swift action was taken and they were removed from the list.
“They are not standing for election.
“Any intelligence that comes forward, it just shows that we will take that very seriously; the same with the researcher in Parliament.
“It does show that there are other nations always wanting to infiltrate government of all parties.
“But we have shown that we take that seriously and act swiftly when that intelligence comes forward.”
An unnamed source was cited by The Times, saying it was made “very clear” to the Tories that the candidates “posed a risk.”
Adding, “They were subsequently blocked from the candidates list. They weren’t told why.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said, “When we receive credible information regarding security concerns over potential candidates we act upon them.”
