MI5 boss Ken McCallum is in the news over UK-China espionage cases and foreign interference probes. He’s been leading MI5 since 2020.
On March 19, 2026, two men, Nematollah Shahsavani and Alireza Farasati, were charged in London under the UK's National Security Act for allegedly conducting hostile surveillance on Israeli and Jewish sites between July and August 2025. The suspects face accusations of spying on embassies, synagogues, and community centers on behalf of Iranian intelligence. Both remain in custody pending trial.
UK Biobank has identified listings of de-identified health and genetic records for its 500,000 volunteers on Alibaba platforms. The charity has paused access to its research system, revoked credentials for three Chinese research institutions, worked with Chinese authorities to remove listings, and has referred the incident to the Information Commissioner.