China Slams UK Spy Claims as ‘Malicious Slander’
Beijing has hit back hard at the UK’s espionage allegations, branding reports of a UK parliamentary researcher arrested for spying as “malicious slander.” The explosive claims have ramped up tensions between the two nations.
Parliamentary Researcher Arrested Amid Spy Scandal
The Sunday Times revealed a 28-year-old parliamentary researcher was arrested in March on suspicion of spying for China. The researcher, once a teacher in China after university, worked for Tory MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee.
He also had links to Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, founder of the China Research Group, where Tory MPs push for tougher views on Beijing.
UK MPs Targeted by Beijing as Ties Sour
- Several UK MPs, including Tugendhat, have been slapped with sanctions by Beijing for criticising China.
- The Metropolitan Police confirmed two arrests in March—a man in his 20s suspected of spying and another man in his 30s facing Official Secrets Act charges.
- Both remain on bail until October.
PM Rishi Sunak voiced “very strong concerns” over Beijing’s “interference” in British democracy during talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit in New Delhi.
China Denies All Claims, Calls It a ‘Political Farce’
The Chinese embassy dismissed the spying allegations as “entirely fabricated,” accusing the UK of “anti-China political manipulation” and calling the saga a “self-staged political farce.”
The Sunday Times painted the accused as the son of a doctor from a wealthy edinburgh/" title="Edinburgh" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Edinburgh suburb and a rising star in parliamentary circles. While responses have been muted, Alicia Kearns has so far refused to comment.
This spy row has thrown a long shadow over Sino-UK relations, threatening to deepen diplomatic fractures as both sides eye the fallout.
