ALBAWBA - According to the United Kingdom police, two researchers have been arrested under the Official Secrets Act following allegations of them spying for China.
The researcher, who is in his twenties, is said to have connections with security minister Tom Tugendhat, foreign affairs committee chairperson Alicia Kearns, and other senior Tory MPs. According to the Metropolitan Police, another man in his 30s was arrested in March with three addresses searched by police.
Scotland Yard said in a statement: "Searches were also carried out at both the residential properties, as well as at a third address in east London,".
"We are appalled at reports of the infiltration of the UK parliament by someone allegedly acting on behalf of the People’s Republic of China," the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China pressure group said in a statement condemning the situation.
The arrests came just over a week after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Beijing, drawing rebuke from several leading Conservative critics of China. He stressed that the United Kingdom would pursue a "pragmatic" relationship with China in order to address key global concerns such as the climate disaster.
Earlier in July, A report from parliament’s spy agency watchdog, the Intelligence and Security Committee, warned that Beijing was targeting the UK "prolifically and aggressively".
Other countries, most notably Australia and Canada, have seen recent charges of Chinese espionage or political involvement, with the Chinese government denying any such activities.
Tensions have risen in recent years over espionage and broader security threats, but recent months have seen attempts by both Washington and London to normalize relations with China.
