British PM raises ‘strong concerns’ about Chinese interference following detention of member of parliament

The Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, expressed his worry and disapproval to China’s leader about possible Chinese involvement in the UK’s democratic process. This came after an employee of parliament was arrested under suspicion of spying for China.

Speaking to reporters at the G20 meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, Sunak said he talked to Chinese Premier Li Qiang about a few concerns, including interference in our parliamentary democracy.

This happened after two men were arrested in the UK for breaking a law about keeping secrets. It was reported that a person who works for the government and has connections to important politicians from the Conservative Party, including a security minister named Tom Tugendhat, was also arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

The Sunday Times, a newspaper from the UK, revealed on Sunday that the researcher was taken into custody with another person on March 13th.

London’s Metropolitan Police have stated that they have arrested two men, one in his 30s in Oxfordshire, southern England, and another in his 20s in Edinburgh, Scotland.

“The inquiry is being done by police officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. This department is responsible for investigating cases related to accusations of Official Secrets Act and spying offenses,” the statement explained.

The two men taken to a police station in south London were released on police bail until early October, as stated.

China’s embassy in London said that the accusations of spying are not true.

A spokesperson said that the claim of China stealing British intelligence is made up and meant to harm China’s reputation.

“We strongly disagree with it and urge the people in the UK who are involved in anti-China political schemes to stop orchestrating this fake political drama,” the statement said.

The Sunday Times reported that the parliamentary researcher who was arrested is connected to Alicia Kearns, the chairperson of the British government’s foreign affairs committee.

In a post on Saturday on X, which used to be called Twitter, Kearns said that they would not comment on the alleged connections. They said that it is important for everyone to make sure that the authorities’ work is not put in danger.

A group of politicians from different parties who are focused on relations with China, called the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), said in a statement on Saturday that they were shocked by reports that someone who may be working for the government of China had secretly entered the UK Parliament.
The alliance wants the authorities to share the name of the person who is accused. They also hope that justice will be done quickly.