A foreign team of spies successfully recruited a former Australian politician into their ranks, ASIO boss Mike Burgess has revealed an a stunning expose of the influence of foreign powers.

Mr Burgess has blown the cover of a sophisticated foreign interference operation that involved a former politician betraying Australia and attempting to bring a prime minister’s relative into the orbit of foreign spies.

“Another Australian and aspiring politician provided insights into factional dynamics of his party analysis of a recent election and names of up and comers,” Mr Burgess said.

Opposition Cyber Security spokesperson James Paterson told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings the specific individual is not the first or last politician to be faced with attempts to sway them.

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