Conservative MP Alicia Kearns said the decision was madness (Image: Getty )
David Lammy and Labour have been accused of "bowing" to Beijing with "craven appeasement" as it's been revealed that China has escaped being placed in the top tier of a scheme designed to track foreign agents. A recent 'China Audit' by the Foreign Office declared that “instances of China’s espionage, interference in our democracy and the undermining of our economic security have increased in recent years".
But despite the apparent glaring risk of espionage, the Home Office has left China off the top tier of its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which was launched on July 1. Under the scheme, agents of foreign states must register their roles in the UK, but only operatives from Russia and Iran have been deemed the most "serious threat," meaning they are subject to more checks than any agents operating on behalf of China.
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Failing to register with FIRS carries a maximum sentence of two years, or five years for agents of states in the enhanced tier.
Former Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, said before the election Mr Lammy said he wanted to take China to court over the treatment of oppressed minorities, but now he was bowing to Beijing.
She told Express.co,uk: "Before the election David Lammy said he would take China to court internationally over the Uyghur if Labour won.
"Instead, he and his cabinet colleagues have given Chinese spies an exemption from our key national security protections, refused to call in the Chinese ambassador when Hong Kongers in the UK had bounties put on their heads, and promised Xi a new Chinese Embassy.
READ MORE... Labour champions China visit while snubbing Trump's team ahead of inauguration
David Lammy and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in February. (Image: Getty )
"The only thing Labour has delivered, the so-called 'China Audit', is being kept secret even from Members of Parliament. We need to know if the Audit recommended that China be put in the enhanced tier of FIRS.
"If it did, the Foreign Secretary will have some explaining to do as to why he’s ignored a flagship recommendation from his own 'Audit'.
"Labour was so full of demands for tough action in Opposition, yet in Government, they have done nothing but bow to China. Make no mistake, their timidity and craven appeasement make us less safe.”
Mr Lammy met with his Chinese foreign minister counterpart in Wang Yi in February this year, when the Foreign Secretary said the pair discussed a "wide range of issues" as part of a "pragmatic relationship".
A Government spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “Since day one, keeping Britain safe has always been the Foreign Secretary’s first priority, and this government is meeting the sophisticated and persistent challenge China poses to the UK, while delivering secure growth at home.
“China is the world’s second largest economy and, together with Hong Kong, the UK’s third largest trading partner. Not engaging with them is not an option. Like our closest allies, we will cooperate where we can and challenge where we must.”
The US has raised concerns over the proposed site of a new Chinese embassy (Image: Getty )
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Under controversial plans, the Government is reviewing granting permission for a new Chinese 'super embassy' in London on the site of the massive old Royal Mint Court building. According to The Sunday Times, the White House has warned Downing Street against the proposed building, which has raised concerns because it sits between the major financial hubs of the City of London and Canary Wharf and is close to three large data centres.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves led a delegation to China in January as the UK seeks stronger economic times.
Discussing the China Audit in a speech to the House of Commons on June 24, Mr Lammy said: "China is our third biggest trading partner. Our universities are the second-largest source of international students. China will continue to play a vital role in supporting the UK’s secure growth."
Speaking about the new FIRS scheme, Home Office Security minister Dan Jarvis said: "We welcome legitimate engagement with all countries, but we will not tolerate covert attempts to manipulate our political system or society.
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"The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme gives us the tools to confront growing threats to our national security, one of the foundations of our plan for change, without compromising the openness that defines our democracy."
The new rules also include an "enhanced tier", which requires anyone working for certain states to declare any activity, not just political work.
Mr Jarvis said: "This is about creating accountability and visibility so that covert influence operations have nowhere to hide, and ensuring we have the tools to detect and disrupt them."