AN EX-TOP mandarin picked to probe foreign interference in UK politics worked for a China-linked firm that has sparked US security fears.
Former senior civil servant Philip Rycroft took a paid advisory role with CK Hutchison Holdings after leaving government in 2019, advising on UK policy and regulation.
The Hong Kong giant has faced mounting pressure from the US over Chinese-linked control of strategic ports – including around the Panama Canal.
The same company owns major UK infrastructure, including three ports used to move goods across Britain.
They include Felixstowe – which handles nearly half of the UK’s container trade – plus Harwich International Port and London Thamesport.
The firm is run by Hong Kong businessman Victor Li, who sits on a senior Chinese political advisory body linked to the CCP.
Reform UK demanded a full investigation into Mr Rycroft’s China links.
It comes after his probe into foreign interference is set to hit the party hardest.
Reform’s Zia Yusuf said: “Incredibly, Philip Rycroft, the man Starmer chose to author a report into foreign interference in British politics has been taking money from the Chinese as they take ownership of critical British infrastructure.”
A senior geopolitical risk adviser told The Sun the company’s grip on UK ports has long worried security insiders.
And he warned those same ports would be crucial in any major conflict involving Russia.
The source said: “It is obvious to me, and to lots of people I speak to, that if the UK and its allies needed to project force in Europe, you’d have to move tanks and heavy equipment by ship.
“That means relying on ports and when those ports are run by Chinese-linked firms, it raises serious concerns about information being shared with Russia. It’s a clear national security risk.”
Luke de Pulford, Co-Founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, also said: “It seems odd to appoint someone to investigate political interference who is in the pay of a company accused of being a geopolitical tool for Beijing.”
Mr Rycroft was brought in to lead a review into foreign interference into UK politics following growing concerns – including the conviction of former Reform UK MEP Nathan Gill for taking bribes to push pro-Russian narratives.
His report proposed sweeping curbs on overseas donations and a ban on cryptocurrency funding – now being pushed through by ministers.
The move is set to curb future donations to Reform UK, which has received around £12m in the past year from Thailand-based investor Christopher Harborne, backing from Monaco-based donors, and is the only major party to accept cryptocurrency funding.
It is unclear whether Mr Rycroft still holds any role with the firm.
He has been approached for comment.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing, including of accepting money improperly, by Mr Rycroft.
