Prosecutors given file on Scot arrested for ‘spying’

Police have handed prosecutors a file on their investigation into a parliamentary researcher arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

Officers have passed the file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration after two men were detained under the Official Secrets Act, Scotland Yard said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confronted Chinese premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit in India over an “unacceptable” interference in democracy after the arrests emerged in September.

The researcher from Edinburgh insisted he was “completely innocent” and he had spent his career highlighting the “challenge and threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party”.

The Scot, who is reportedly the son of a GP, grew up in Edinburgh and attended George Watson’s College.

In a statement released through his lawyers, the researcher he said: “I feel forced to respond to the media accusations that I am a ‘Chinese spy’.

“Given what has been reported, it is vital that it is known that I am completely innocent. I have spent my career to date trying to educate others about the challenge and threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party. To do what has been claimed against me in extravagant news reporting would be against everything I stand for.”

The Briton, who has connections to senior Tory MPS, has also not been named. The two were both arrested on March 13 as officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, which oversees espionage-related offences, investigated.

Scotland Yard said: “Officers have been in liaison with CPS in relation to this investigation and a case file has now been passed to them … Both men remain on police bail at this time and inquiries continue.”