British Parliamentary Researcher Arrested on Suspicion of Spying for China
In a startling development, a British parliamentary researcher in his late twenties has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, allegedly having links to Members of Parliament (MPs) with access to classified information. Among those connected to the individual are senior Tory MPs, including Tom Tugenhat, the security minister, and Alicia Kearns, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee.
The arrested researcher is believed to have gained close proximity to several MPs who had access to classified and highly sensitive information, potentially marking one of the most significant spying incidents ever witnessed within the Westminster arena.
Counter-terrorism officers apprehended the researcher in Edinburgh on March 13th, and on the same day, another man in his thirties was detained in Oxfordshire. Authorities conducted searches at multiple locations, including residential properties and an address in east London.
Following their arrests, both individuals were released on police bail and are expected to return for further questioning in early October.
A source within Whitehall commented on the situation, stating, “This is a major escalation by China. We have never seen anything like this before.”
The Metropolitan Police Service provided an official statement on the matter: “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.”