More steps needed to protect against Chinese ‘interference’, Government concedes

Police hand over file on parliament researcher accused of ‘spying for China’

2 minutes, 8 seconds Read

[ad_1]

The Metropolitan Police have handed prosecutors a file on their investigation right into a parliamentary researcher arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

Scotland Yard officers have handed the file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration after two males had been detained beneath the Official Secrets Act, the drive stated.

Rishi Sunak confronted Chinese premier Li Qiang on the G20 summit in India over an “unacceptable” interference in democracy after particulars of the arrests first emerged in September.

A male researcher in his twenties insisted he was “completely innocent” and he had spent his profession highlighting the “challenge and threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party”.

The British man, with connections to senior Tory MPs, has not been named by police or his attorneys – who launched the assertion disputing the claims.

He was arrested together with the opposite man on 13 March as officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command – which oversees espionage-related offences – investigated.

Rishi Sunak (proper) has been beneath strain to take harder stance with Chinese President Xi Jinping

(Getty/PA)

An replace from Scotland Yard stated: “Officers have been in liaison with CPS in relation to this investigation and a case file has now been passed to them for consideration.

“Both men remain on police bail at this time and inquiries continue.”

The parliamentary researcher who was arrested on suspicion of spying for China met Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart to debate a vital piece of laws, in response to Politico.

The man – who has insisted that he’s harmless – met the minister to debate proposed amendments to the Procurement Bill, geared toward toughening up Britain’s coverage towards China.

But a Whitehall official stated no delicate info was mentioned and the assembly lasted lower than an hour.

Mr Sunak has insisted that defending the UK from interference from Beijing was an “absolute priority”, after the arrest of a parliamentary researcher on suspicion of spying for the superpower.

The PM vowed to “call out unacceptable behaviour” – however he once more rejected Tory calls from Liz Truss, Sir Iain Duncan Smith and different senior Tories to formally designate China a risk.

The Sunak authorities warned in September that China is making an attempt to “headhunt” high British officers in authorities, enterprise and the navy.

In response to a damning report by MPs, the federal government stated Beijing has tried to recruit nationals in key positions with “sensitive knowledge and experience”.

[ad_2]

Source hyperlink

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *