UPDATE: The Home Office is investigating claims that China is funding pro-Palestinian marches. British officials are looking into possible foreign interference after we revealed that a US investigation is examining alleged Chinese backing of Code Pink, a far-Left feminist protest group. The Home Office says it is now “looking into the issues raised” as part of its remit to counter foreign interference in the UK. From @nickgutteridge

NEW: China is suspected of funding pro-Palestine marches in the UK. US politicians investigating alleged secret Chinese backing of a far-Left feminist protest group are examining its activities in Britain as part of an inquiry into foreign interference. The US probe is examining £250,000 in alleged payments to a company linked to Code Pink in the UK from firms connected to Neville Roy Singham, a tech tycoon accused of financing Chinese propaganda around the world. Code Pink has organised protests in the UK against Britain’s involvement in Palestine, encouraged its activists to demonstrate outside RAF bases, and issued statements claiming Britain’s leaders have been “bought by Zionism”. It comes amid concern that Beijing is seeking to exploit divisive causes in the West to deepen social tensions and wage what critics describe as “political warfare” against its adversaries. With @connorstringer and @PatrickSawer

A former Labour adviser suspected of spying for China was an elite party donor who was invited to meet senior politicians. Great scoop from @Tony_Diver David Taylor, who was arrested in March on suspicion of aiding the Chinese intelligence services, was a member of an elite circle of Labour’s most generous donors, some of whom give thousands to the party every month.

NEW: Royal Navy sea drones secretly sent data to China. Cameras onboard a fleet of surveillance drones were found to contain Chinese parts despite assurances from suppliers that they were secure. An investigation found the cameras had been sending “heartbeat” signals to an IP address in China, forcing the Ministry of Defence to remove their connectivity. The Navy purchased the drones, made by Kraken Technology Group, in March. They are set to be sent to the Strait of Hormuz as part of the UK’s plan to protect the waterways. The MoD insist no sensitive data was breached and vulnerabilities have now been patched. Defence sources say this is a “major” failure.