Two males arrested amid experiences a parliamentary researcher is a Chinese spy
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House of Commons researcher has been arrested beneath the Official Secrets Act on suspicion of spying for China.
The man, who’s in his 20s, was arrested in Edinburgh by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
The Sunday Times reported the person, who’s British and holds a parliamentary move, has hyperlinks to a number of outstanding Conservative MPs, together with safety minister Tom Tugendhat and international affairs committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns, and beforehand lived and labored in China.
Ms Kearns stated she was “aware” of the report however would “not be commenting”.
A supply near Ms Kearns stated: “It is inevitable the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would target and seek to undermine Parliament’s leading voices who have demonstrated the ability to constrain the CCP’s ambitions.”
They stated that the allegations, if true, could be a “serious escalation and shows the CCP will go to any length to attack thorns in their side”.
Mr Tugendhat is alleged to not have had any contact with the researcher since earlier than he grew to become safety minister in September final 12 months.
Met officers additionally arrested one other man, in his 30s, at a property in Oxfordshire whereas searches have been carried out at a property in east London.
A Met Police spokesman stated: “Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service arrested two men on 13 March on suspicion of offences under section 1 of the Official Secrets Act, 1911.
“A man in his 30s was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire and a man in his 20s was arrested at an address in Edinburgh. Searches were also carried out at both the residential properties, as well as at a third address in east London.
“Both men were taken to a south London police station, and were subsequently released on police bail until a date in early October.
“The investigation is being carried out by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which has responsibility for investigations relating to allegations of Official Secrets Act and espionage-related offences. Enquiries continue.”
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China strain group stated it was “appalled at reports of the infiltration of the UK Parliament by someone allegedly acting on behalf of the People’s Republic of China”.
A report from Parliament’s spy company watchdog, the Intelligence and Security Committee, warned in July that Beijing is focusing on the UK “prolifically and aggressively”.
Last 12 months, MI5 issued a uncommon safety alert, warning MPs {that a} suspected Chinese spy known as Christine Lee had engaged in “political interference activities” on behalf of China’s ruling communist regime.
Labour MP Barry Gardiner, the previous chairman of the now disbanded Chinese in Britain APPG, obtained greater than £500,000 in donations from her earlier than the warning.
The arrests emerged somewhat over every week after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Beijing amid criticism from some senior Conservatives, who’re critics of China.
He insisted the UK would have a “pragmatic” relationship with China to sort out main world points reminiscent of local weather change.
Former Tory chief Sir Iain Duncan Smith, one of many occasion’s most outstanding China hawks, warned of a “deepening threat” being posed by the nation beneath President Xi Jinping.
Sir Iain informed PA: “This story gives the lie to the Government’s attempt not to see China as a systemic threat.
“Time for us to recognise the deepening threat that the CCP under Xi now pose. What price was Cleverly’s kowtow visit to Beijing?”
Downing Street stated it doesn’t touch upon safety issues. The House of Commons has been contacted.