LONDON — A lawyer facing accusations of attempting to meddle in British political affairs on behalf of the Chinese government has faced a setback following a legal ruling against her by the U.K.’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5.

In January 2022, MI5 issued a security alert directed at all lawmakers, indicating that Christine Lee, a London-based attorney, was actively involved in “political interference activities in the U.K.” linked to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, a body known for exerting Chinese influence internationally.

At that time, the Speaker of the House of Commons cautioned that Lee had “facilitated” hidden donations to various British political parties and individual legislators “on behalf of foreign nationals.” Members of Parliament are obligated to disclose the origins of their donations, which must come from individuals or entities registered to vote in the U.K.

Lee operates Christine Lee & Co., a legal firm that primarily serves the British Chinese community and has acted as a legal advisor to the Chinese embassy in London. Her son, Daniel Wilkes, was employed for five years by lawmaker Barry Gardiner as a diary manager, during which time Lee reportedly donated approximately 500,000 pounds (around $635,000) for Gardiner’s office expenses, based on official documentation.

Although Lee has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing, she initiated legal proceedings, claiming that the security alert was politically motivated and infringed on her human rights.

On Tuesday, a three-judge panel at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal unanimously rejected her claims, affirming that MI5 had valid reasons for issuing the warning.

This tribunal ruling came shortly after British authorities identified Chinese national Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, as an alleged spy who developed close connections with Prince Andrew in an attempt to influence prominent British figures on behalf of China’s United Front Work Department.

Yang, 50, was barred from entering the U.K. last year after MI5 concluded that he had engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” for China.

Official sources indicated that Yang’s interactions with the royal family were of a secretive nature, referencing communications that alluded to obtaining access to official residences without drawing attention.

Yang has vehemently denied all allegations against him.

In response to these accusations, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, called the claims surrounding Yang “ridiculous,” while the Chinese Embassy in the U.K. criticized British lawmakers for allegedly “smearing” China.

The embassy’s statement urged the U.K. government to cease all provocations, halt anti-China political manipulations, and refrain from disrupting normal personnel exchanges between China and the U.K.