Two men have been found guilty of spying for China on British soil, in a landmark case under the National Security Act. Border Force official Peter Wai and retired Hong Kong police officer Bill Yuen were convicted at the Old Bailey of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Details of the Convictions
Peter Wai, who also served as a special constable with the City of London Police, was additionally convicted of misconduct in public office. He unlawfully searched Home Office computer systems for information on individuals of interest to Hong Kong authorities. Bill Yuen, a dual Chinese-British national, was found guilty of engaging in conduct that assisted Chinese intelligence services.
Targets of the 'Shadow Policing' Operations
The pair's activities, described as 'shadow policing,' targeted Hong Kong dissidents, pro-democracy protesters, and British politicians. Among those targeted was senior Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith. The operations aimed to gather intelligence and intimidate individuals critical of the Chinese government.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The defendants were remanded into custody following the verdict. A further hearing is scheduled for 15 May. The jury failed to reach a verdict on a separate charge of foreign interference related to an alleged attempt to abduct Monica Kwong from her home in Pontefract. This charge may be subject to a retrial.
The case highlights the ongoing concerns about foreign espionage within the UK and the government's efforts to protect national security under the National Security Act, which was introduced to counter threats from state actors.
