Police in London say they’ve arrested three men suspected of helping China’s foreign intelligence service.
They added another twist to the increasingly tense relationship between United Kingdom and China.
Counter-terrorism officers detained a 39-year-old man in London, along with two others aged 68 and 43 in Cardiff.
Searches were also carried out in London, Cardiff and East Kilbride. All three suspects remain in custody.
But here’s where the story takes a political turn.
According to reports cited in parliament by Conservative MP Alex Burghart, one of those arrested is the spouse of a sitting Labour MP.
While another is married to a former Labour lawmaker.
China Influence Concerns
The current MP linked to the case, Joani Reid, quickly pushed back.
“I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law,” she said.
Stressing she has no involvement in his business affairs and has “never spoken on China-related matters” in parliament.
The backdrop? Rising suspicion in Westminster. Last year, the UK’s domestic intelligence agency MI5 warned of alleged Chinese efforts to influence British politics.
Beijing, however, rejects the accusations outright, calling them fabricated attempts to “maliciously slander China.”
So is this a genuine spy scandal—or just the latest chapter in a growing geopolitical blame game?
