Parts of the Chinese state could be classed as an ‘enhanced’ threat by the government amid a rising backlash over chaos at British Steel.
Elements suspected of interference in the UK might be included on the top tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) – although China as a whole would not be in the category.
The prospect emerged amid fears that the Beijing-backed owners of British Steel tried to ‘sabotage’ furnaces to make the UK more reliant on imports.
