Chi Leung 'Peter' Wai, a UK Border Force officer, and Chung Biu 'Bill' Yuen, a former Hong Kong police officer, were sentenced on June 18, 2026, for spying on Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in the UK on China's behalf [1, 2, 3]. Wai received 10 years and Yuen 8 years from the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) after their conviction in May 2026 [1, 2, 3].
The espionage took place between December 2023 and May 2024, with Wai abusing his UK Home Office access to monitor Hong Kong dissidents in Britain [2, 3, 4, 5]. Yuen managed liaison efforts at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, acting as a link to Chinese intelligence agencies [1, 3, 6].
Matthew Trickett, a former UK Border Force officer recruited by Wai to assist surveillance, died by suspected suicide in 2024 shortly after facing charges [1, 2]. The spying targeted activists and UK MPs critical of China, including figures like Sir Iain Duncan Smith and members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China [1, 3, 7, 8].
Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said the UK now faces "ongoing, adaptive, and often quite covert interference" by foreign forces and agents [3]. Counter Terrorism Policing London's Commander Helen Flanagan warned that those acting for foreign states would be identified and prosecuted under the UK National Security Act 2023 [1]. She added the case serves as a harsh warning for anyone doing private investigations to ensure they are not working for foreign governments [2].
Bethan David, CPS Anti-Terrorism Lead, said the convictions send a clear message that unauthorized surveillance and foreign interference will not be tolerated on UK soil [1]. UK Home Secretary Angela Eagle pledged to continue holding China accountable for threats to UK nationals' safety, including actions linked to Hong Kong police warrants and bounties [1].
The Hong Kong government condemned the convictions as politically motivated and baseless, rejecting any connection to the case or the convicted men [1]. According to a Hong Kong statement, the charges are unrelated to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government or its Economic and Trade Office in London [1].
In 2023, Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam issued a 1 million HKD bounty on some pro-democracy activists [1]. Despite Yuen's conviction, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office reportedly continued his employment, though some public listings removed his contact information [1].
The sentences mark the latest enforcement of the UK's National Security Act 2023 against foreign espionage. The case underlines ongoing UK efforts to counter covert foreign interference targeting activists and politicians on its soil [1, 6].
