Three men were arrested by the Met Police on suspicion of spying for China – with one reported to be the partner of a sitting Labour MP
The partner of a Labour MP has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China, it has been reported.
The man is among three people in custody by the Met Police, The Guardian reports. A second person is claimed to be the partner of a former Labour MP. The trio were arrested in swoops in London and Wales this morning.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons: “I can confirm that this relates to China. I can also confirm that this relates to foreign interference targeting UK democracy.
“Mr Speaker, for reasons that you will understand, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any aspect of what is now a live investigation. It is absolutely critical that we do not hamper the work of the police or prejudice any future legal processes by what we say in this House today.”
Tory frontbencher Alex Burghart pressed Mr Jarvis, telling him: “Whilst we’ve been here, the BBC and the Guardian have reported that one of those arrested is the spouse of a sitting Labour MP, and that another is the spouse of a former Labour MP.
“Given that this is being reported in the press, will the minister confirm whether or not this is true?”
The Security Minister said: “Now, the honorable gentleman (Mr Burghart) did raise a number of questions, and I know that he will understand that there are strict limitations in terms of what I can say, but let me give him an assurance, the seriousness with which we take these matters.”
Mr Jarvis said there would be “severe consequences” if it is proven that China attempted to interfere with UK sovereign affairs. He told MPs: “Let me be clear, if there is proven evidence of attempts by China to interfere with UK sovereign affairs, we will impose severe consequences and hold all actors involved to account.”
He added: “The Government is taking robust action to ensure the UK’s democratic institutions and processes are a hard target for this activity.
“The National Security Act provides our intelligence agencies and law enforcement with the modern legal tools they need to deter, detect and disrupt the full range of state threats. The action counter-terrorism police have been able to take this morning is an example that that legislation is working well.”
The Met Police earlier confirmed three men had been arrested on suspicion of spying for China. The force said the suspects – aged 39, 43 and 68 – were arrested by counter-terrorism officers in London and Wales.
They were accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service. All three men remain in custody and searches have been carried out at the addresses where they were arrested, the force added.
After the arrests, Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “We have seen a significant increase in our casework relating to national security in recent years, and we continue to work extremely closely with our partners to help keep the country safe and take action to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it.”
