Parliamentary researcher arrested over suspicion of spying for China says he is ‘completely innocent’

The news that a parliamentary researcher has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China has caused consternation amongst MPs.

Despite their alarm, they were told they should not raise the matter in the Commons to avoid prejudicing any future prosecution.

The researcher insisted through lawyers that he is “completely innocent” and said has spent his career highlighting the “threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party”.

He was arrested in March but details were only released at the weekend when it emerged that he had links with senior Tories.