Partner of Labour MP among three arrested on suspicion of spying for China
One of three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China is the partner of a sitting Labour MP, according to multiple reports.
The arrests were carried out on Wednesday by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London as part of an investigation under the National Security Act. The Metropolitan Police said the men, aged 39, 43 and 68, were detained in London and Wales.
Police believe the suspects may have assisted a foreign intelligence service. Under the law introduced in 2023, it is an offence to materially help a foreign intelligence service carry out activities linked to the UK.
Searches have taken place at addresses in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff. The three men remain in custody. The Met says that there is no “imminent or direct threat to the public”.
Sources told the Guardian that one of those arrested is the partner of a current Labour MP, while another is linked to a former Labour MP. The identity of the third man, and whether he has ties to Parliament, has not been made public.
Security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs the case involves alleged interference targeting British democracy but said he could not go into detail because it is a live investigation. “I can also confirm this relates to foreign interference targeting UK democracy,” he said.
He added that if there is proof of interference by Beijing, there will be consequences. “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,” Jarvis told the Commons.
He also said British officials had raised “strong concerns” with Chinese counterparts in both London and Beijing.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing at the Met, said cases linked to national security have risen sharply in recent years. “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,” she said.
“Today’s arrests are part of a proactive investigation and while these are serious matters, we do not believe there to be any imminent or direct threat to the public relating to this.”
The arrests come amid ongoing concerns in Westminster about foreign interference. Previous cases involving alleged spying linked to Parliament have collapsed after prosecutors said key evidence could not be secured.
The latest investigation adds to growing tension between the UK and China over national security, just weeks after Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Beijing.
For now, police say the investigation is continuing and further details will be released only when possible.
