Beijing spy linked to Met adviser accused of ‘stifling anti-racism push’

Close colleague ‘made allegations’ against those who criticised the state’s repression of Uyghurs

QUESTIONS have been raised over a Chinese spy’s links to the Metropolitan Police after it emerged a key associate sits on one of the force’s race advisory groups.

On Thursday, Christine Ching Kui Lee was outed by MI5 as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

She was said to be “grooming” prospective parliamentary candidates to increase Beijing’s influence in the UK through her campaign vehicle, the British Chinese Project.

The Sunday Telegraph can now reveal that Pek-san Tan, who describes herself as formerly a “project manager” at the British Chinese Project, has a seat on the Met’s Anti-Hate Crime ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) Forum. The body was established around the start of the pandemic to help police better understand and prevent racism against, principally, people of Chinese origin.

In an era of heightened awareness of racism and scrutiny of the policing of ethnic minority communities, such groups are increasingly important in guiding police practice.

However, two sources on the forum have alleged that Ms Tan has used her position to make accusations of racism against those who criticise the CCP and its repression of the Uyghurs.

They claim that by conflating the two issues, she is attempting to stifle legitimate criticism while hampering the fight against “actual” racism.

It is not the first time Ms Tan has found herself at the centre of controversy. In August, The Telegraph revealed that she was the head of press for the London Chinatown Chinese Association, which publicly supports Beijing’s brutal national security law.

Last night, senior parliamentarians warned of fears of further “infiltration” into British public life by those with pro-CCP ideology.

It is not suggested that Ms Tan knew of Ms Lee’s spying. However, she has previously worked closely with the now disgraced solicitor.

The pair helped co-author a key 201213 report called Chinese Community and Policing by the all-party parliamentary group on the Chinese in Britain.

In its foreword, Barry Gardiner, the Labour MP, whose private office accepted more than £425,000 from Ms Lee’s law firm, wrote that the “less visible” Chinese community were “in no less need of attention” than the black community.

A spokesman for the Covid-19 AntiRacism Group, under whose guise Ms Tan attended the police forum, said: “CARG sits on many forums to support the ESEA community.”

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers are allowed to speak with media, external organisations and the public about their roles.”