A British parliamentary researcher has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China in a major security breach at Westminster.
The man, who is aged in his late twenties, is believed to be connected to a number of senior Tory MPs, including a number who have access to classified or highly sensitive information.
The suspect worked alongside MPs on international policy, including relations with Beijing, for a number of years and was a parliamentary pass holder.
They include Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, and Alicia Kearn, the chairwoman of the foreign affairs committee.
He was arrested along with another man on suspicion of espionage-related offences on March 13.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s counter terrorism command, which oversees espionage-related offences, are investigating.
One of the men, in his 30s, was detained in Oxfordshire on March 13, while the other, in his 20s, was arrested in Edinburgh, Scotland Yard said.
The man in his 20s is believed to have worked on international policy with MPs including Tom Tugendhat Credit: ISABEL INFANTES/AFP/Getty Images
A senior Whitehall source told the The Sunday Times: “This is a major escalation by China. We have never seen anything like this before.”
Security officials fear he was recruited during his time living and working in China.
Scotland Yard said: “Officers from the Metropolitan Police arrested two men on March 13 on suspicion of offences under section one of the Official Secrets Act 1911.
“A man in his thirties was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire and a man in his twenties was arrested at an address in Edinburgh.
“Searches were also carried out at both the residentia ..
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