Three men arrested in UK on suspicion of spying for China

One of three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China is the partner of a Labour MP, the BBC has been told.

The men, aged 39, 43 and 68, were arrested in London and Wales as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation under the National Security Act, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

There is no "imminent or direct threat to the public", the Met added, and all three suspects are being held in custody.

Speaking in the Commons after the arrests, security minister Dan Jarvis said the UK would not "trade off security for economic access".

The Met Police said the 39-year-old man was arrested at an address in London; while the 68-year-old man was arrested in Powys, Wales and the 43-year-old man was arrested in Pontyclun, Wales.

All three have been detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and remain in police custody, the Met added.

As part of the investigation, searches were carried out at locations in London, East Kilbride and Cardiff.

The Met said the three arrests and subsequent search activity were supported by counter-terror police in Wales and in Scotland.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "On Wednesday, 4 March, we carried out a search of an address in East Kilbride on behalf of an investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London."

The men have been accused by officers of assisting a foreign intelligence service under section three of the National Security Act, which was introduced in 2023 to target suspects accused of working against UK interests.

An offence is committed if someone is found to have carried out an act to "materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities", or in conduct likely to assist that service.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the force had seen a "significant increase" in national security casework in recent years, but officers were working to "disrupt malign activity where we suspect it".

Jarvis said if Chinese interference in UK sovereign affairs were proven, "severe consequences" would be imposed.

"This government stands resolute in our resolve to counter foreign interference activity targeting the UK from any state actor," he told MPs.

British officials had informed Chinese counterparts in London and Beijing about the allegations, he added.

Jarvis also said it would be "naive" for anyone to say that the UK should not have a "functional working relationship with China".

In response to Jarvis in the Commons, shadow cabinet office minister Alex Burghart said: "Unless the United Kingdom stands up to these threats, our country will continue to be treated with disdain."

Additional reporting by Ella Kipling.