Arrested aide insists that he has never spied for China

No 10 is under pressure to reveal when it knew of arrest as it emerged the researcher worked with senior Conservatives

- KATE DEVLIN, KIM SENGUPTA

A Commons researcher arrested on suspicion of spying for Beijing has insisted he is innocent, claiming he tried to warn others about the threats posed by China.

In an extraordinary statement, the parliamentary aide, who worked closely with senior Tories, declared the allegations would be “against everything I stand for”.

It came as pressure mounted on Rishi Sunak over allegations of an attack on the heart of British democracy, with the government signalling a potential crackdown on Chinese influence.

Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden described China as the “number one state-based threat” to the UK, a shift in stance. He also told MPs there was a “strong case” for greater monitoring of the activities of those who work for China.

It came as:

The researcher, who had links with Ms Kearns and the security minister Tom Tugendhat, was arrested in March.